Hazelwood redevelopment suggests neighborhood investment can advance without typical displacement pressures

The Hazelwood neighborhood in Pittsburgh serves as a compelling case study in whether redevelopment can occur without causing displacement. This investigation emerged from concerns that improvements to Hazelwood Green, once the site of a defunct LTV Steel plant, would displace long-time residents. Concerns were justified as Hazelwood Green attracted firms specializing in advanced technology, robotics, and manufacturing, with further developments planned.

The Heinz Endowments, along with other foundations, invested over $24 million in supporting housing initiatives, rehabilitation of deteriorated rentals, and aiding homeowners to stabilize their properties. Despite this financial commitment, research showed no significant changes in Hazelwood's population, income distribution, or housing market compared to gentrifying neighborhoods in other cities.

While the percentage of nonwhite residents slightly increased from 48% in 2010 to 55% in 2022, this shift was contrary to the typical gentrification pattern. The median home value in Hazelwood in 2022, at $121,358, remained affordable for a household earning about $40,000, but led to a housing cost burden for many of its lowest-income renters.

The study's tools - Market Value Analysis and Displacement Risk Ratio - demonstrated that Hazelwood's housing market remained healthier and displaced fewer residents compared to neighborhoods in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Even though displacement fears persisted among local leaders, actual instances were anecdotal, and prospects for long-term residents improving looked promising due to the emergence of upgraded homes and new affordable units.