Is OPDC affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh or
other Oakland institutions?
OPDC is a not affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh or other Oakland
institutions. However, OPDC does work in partnership with the Oakland institutions.
Where is Oakland?
Oakland is a neighborhood that is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Oakland consists of four distinct neighborhoods: Central, South, West, and
North clustered around the civic and business district core. Each neighborhood
is unique. For example Central Oakland is known as the student core and has
a higher number of rental units while South Oakland has maintained a larger
long-term resident base with a higher concentration of owner occupied housing
units. Oakland is located in the City of Pittsburgh and borders Hazelwood,
Greenfield, Shadyside, Uptown and the Hill. Oakland is minutes from downtown
and is accessible by many buses.
What is there to do in Oakland?
As a regional center, Oakland is home to world class institutions and has
many amenities. Oakland is home to the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie
Mellon University, the Carnegie Museums, Phipps Conservatory, Schenley Park,
and much more. To find out more about Oakland, visit www.virtualoakland.org.
How can I get involved in the community?
There are several ways to get involved in the Oakland community. The Oakland
Community Council (OCC) is a neighborhood advocacy group that meets the first
Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. For information on meetings and to find
out more about OCC, contact Oakland_Community_Council@hotmail.com
or 412-687-8568. You can also get involved by volunteering for a "Keep
It Clean, Oakland" event. KICO is an initiative focused on cleaning
up and improving the physical environment of Oakland and engaging residents
(both short-and long-term) in the community.
What housing options are available in Oakland?
Oakland has a variety of housing options including large and small apartment
buildings as well as single family owner occupied units varying in size. There
are both rental and for sale housing options available in Oakland. For information
on units available for rent, visit the University
of Pittsburgh's Housing Resource Center. You can also find listings in
the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, online at www.postgazette.com.
I am interested in purchasing a home. What programs and
services are available to help me?
Through our real estate development program, we can help you prepare for home
purchase, help identify the type of housing you are looking for, provide technical
assistance, recommendations, and referrals that will help you through the
home purchase process. OPDC is abreast of many housing programs available
and helps promote those offered by the Urban
Redevelopment Authority and other lenders. Get more information on our
real estate program.
What do I do if I think there is a code violation at apartment/house?
Unfortunately, some landlords do not take care of their properties and let
them deteriorate and fall into disrepair. For information on building and
safety codes, go to: Code
Enforcement. If you think your housing unit is in violation of the codes,
contact the City
of Pittsburgh Building Inspection at 412-255-4155. You may also report
problems to the Allegheny County Complaint Housing Program at 412-350-4046.
What do I do if I want to break my lease?
It depends on what is written in your lease. Your lease is a contract between
you and your landlord. There should be a clause specifying how you can get
out of your lease early. It varies, but usually leases are written to protect
the landlord, rather than the tenant, and therefore, leases are often hard
to break without paying a fee. For more information, see the PA
Landlord Tenant Code.
