Program Impact
In a powerful collaboration aimed at addressing the critical shortage of affordable and quality housing, Catapult Greater Pittsburgh has joined forces with Fannie Mae’s Sustainable Communities Initiative, a program dedicated to supporting innovative solutions that promote equity and stability in housing. This strategic engagement will strengthen Catapult’s CLEAR (Clinic for Legal Equity and Repair) program, which is designed to address unresolved heirs’ property issues, provide financial assistance for home repairs, and offer estate planning services through K.E.Y. (“Keeping Equity Yours”) to low-income residents in Allegheny County. Catapult Greater Pittsburgh is proud to announce this collaboration with Fannie Mae, which exemplifies the type of cross-sector collaboration needed to address complicated housing issues, such as tangled title and heirs’ property.
The CLEAR program, launched in March 2024, is a comprehensive initiative designed to bolster homeowner financial stability by addressing tangled titles and deferred maintenance while promoting wealth creation and equity protection. This program is critical in a region where many minority homeowners face significant barriers to accessing home equity.
Catapult’s CLEAR program is a multi-faceted approach to addressing homeownership barriers for low-income residents. Key components of the program include:
- Title Clearance: Working with local attorneys and housing advocates to help homeowners secure recorded ownership of their properties.
- Estate Planning: Providing legal assistance to create essential estate planning documents to ensure the home’s legacy for future generations.
Home Repairs: Participants will be eligible for financial assistance for identified health and safety repairs.
Objectives of the CLEAR Program:
- Increase financial and property resiliency for local residents by addressing barriers to wealth creation and equity protection.
- Preserve existing housing supply for owner-occupied properties and improve property sustainability.
- Provide evidence and advocacy for public policy and investment that will help advance program goals.
This collaboration between Catapult Greater Pittsburgh and Fannie Mae demonstrates the impact of collaborative efforts on addressing housing challenges and promoting community stability, especially in our most vulnerable neighborhoods. By working together, these organizations are taking crucial steps to ensure that all residents have equitable access to safe, quality, affordable housing.
