In a closely watched 5-4 vote on October 15, 2025, Pittsburgh City Council Approved Councilwoman Erika Strassburger’s amendments to Mayor Ed Gainey’s Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) legislation. This pivotal moment marks a significant step forward for our city’s housing future, one that prioritizes collaboration, flexibility, and sustainable development without stifling the private market’s ability to deliver much-needed homes.
NAIOP Pittsburgh has been vocal throughout this process. We did not support the Mayor’s original proposal, which imposed a tax on new housing projects and would slow housing production in a market already struggling to keep pace with demand. Instead, we endorse Councilwoman Strassburger’s amendments, which represent a balanced, voluntary approach that incentivizes affordable housing.
Our Advocacy: A Long-Term Commitment to Constructive Dialogue
Our efforts to shape a housing-friendly outcome began in January, in anticipation of the Planning Commission Hearing. Chapter President Nate Phillips, along with Tyler Noland, Ben Kelley, Lynn DeLorenzo, Tom Frank, and our Lobbyist from C&G Strategies, David Caliguiri, engaged directly with multiple City Council members utilizing data-driven information from many of our Principal Members and Jeff Burd of the Tall Timber Group. We expressed how these mandates can inadvertently slow construction, raise building costs, and raise the price of rent.
The chapter carried that momentum to the Planning Commission Hearing, where Nate and Tom delivered testimony highlighting the potential pitfalls of a rigid IZ model. Despite the Commission’s positive recommendation, an outcome we actively opposed, we didn’t back down.
Post-hearing, we continued to meet with Council, offering insights into how flexible policies can boost housing supply without compromising quality. We shared best practices from other markets, with input from those NAIOP chapters. We also aligned with like-minded allies such as the Allegheny Conference, Pro Housing Pittsburgh, and the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.
We then attended the Public Hearing on the Mayor’s legislation, providing pointed comments against its more prescriptive elements. We rallied our members, too, encouraging and witnessing your strong turnout to voice concerns firsthand. These grassroots efforts amplified our message and underscored the broad developer consensus for change.
When Councilwoman Strassburger introduced her amendments shortly after, we reviewed her proposal and saw real promise. It outlined a voluntary program with options like payment in lieu at $25 per square foot, off-site units within a half-mile radius, and a two-year lookback period for ongoing refinements – all strategies that are being tested in other cities. In response, we wrote a letter of support and distributed it to all Council members. The full letter is available here, and we encourage you to read it for the full depth of our endorsement.
Looking Ahead: Back to Planning Commission and Beyond
With the October 15th passage, the amendments head back to the Planning Commission for review, a standard procedural step that gives us another opportunity to refine and fortify this framework. We’re optimistic about the path forward and remain committed to partnering with stakeholders to implement the Affordable Housing Bonus Program (AHBP) effectively.
This victory isn’t just about policy; it’s a testament to what persistent, collaborative advocacy can achieve. Thank you to our members, partners at the Allegheny Conference, Pro Housing Pittsburgh, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Councilwoman Strassburger, Councilwoman Kail-Smith, Councilman Charland, Councilman Wilson and Councilman Coghill, for championing a smarter way to build.
What’s next for Pittsburgh’s housing landscape? Stay tuned to NAIOP Pittsburgh for updates, and if you’re a developer navigating these changes, reach out to Tom Frank at tfrank@naioppittsburgh.com.
NAIOP Pittsburgh: Advancing commercial real estate development for a thriving region. Learn more at www.naioppittsburgh.com.