North Braddock Housing Redevelopment Project
Mon Valley Initiative began its extensive, multi-phase North Braddock housing redevelopment project in 2024, acquiring 23 blighted parcels in the Hawkins Avenue corridor, a primary entry point into North Braddock Borough.
The first phase of the project involved the demolition of eight blighted properties that have been in various states of disrepair for years. Those properties are at 209, 211, 227, 311, 325, and 327 Hawkins Avenue, as well as 709 and 715-717 Middle Street (see map), all of which have now been removed and their lots cleared. The area’s housing vacancy rate is at 25%, more than twice as high as Allegheny County’s housing vacancy rate. The impact of these demolitions is clear from the reaction from local residents and the Borough of North Braddock – by removing dilapidated and blighted properties, Mon Valley Initiative is improving the quality of the immediate environment, reducing potential fire risks, and encouraging other property owners to prevent further blight.
The second phase of the project includes the rehabilitation of two existing properties – 243 Hawkins Avenue and 305 Hawkins Avenue. Work at 243 Hawkins Avenue is already well under way and is a large three-bedroom single-family home with three floors and a basement. MVI expects this to be completed by July and it will be available for purchase for prospective buyers who are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income.
The third phase of the project involves the construction of three new for-sale homes on Hawkins Avenue and one on Middle Street. These will be three-bedroom homes with off-street parking. MVI is currently in the design process and hopes to begin construction by the end of 2026.
The fourth phase of the project, subject to Act 152 funding, will involve the demolition of five further blighted properties on Hawkins Avenue.
Project Background
The majority of the parcels that Mon Valley Initiative acquired for blight remediation and new build construction program were obtained through Allegheny County’s Vacant Property Recovery Program, which allows individuals and entities to acquire vacant, blighted properties if they provide a reuse plan and capacity to implement it. In addition to being vacant, the property must have at least three years of tax delinquency.
The need for new housing development in the residential hillsides of North Braddock and improving areas that are gateways into neighboring communities were identified in the BEN 2030 Futures joint comprehensive plan between Braddock, East Pittsburgh, and North Braddock, approved in 2021. MVI’s North Braddock housing redevelopment project will be similar to the Holland Avenue Homes project in Braddock that MVI completed in 2021.
MVI has renovated and constructed over 340 for-sale homes in the Mon Valley by purchasing vacant or abandoned properties, renovating or building homes, and selling them to low-to-moderate-income households. Affordable homeownership opportunities in communities like North Braddock, which has a homeownership rate of 53% compared to 65% county-wide, can encourage generational wealth-building and create vibrant communities. In addition to developing the projects, MVI provides HUD-certified homeownership counseling to potential buyers.
Current funding for the project includes Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds administered by Allegheny County Economic Development and Act 152 demolition funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development.
Updated March 2026
