Community
Outreach Partnership Center (COPC)
2017-C Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
In Attendance: Stephanie Schoenberg, Tracy Soska, COPC; Jim Richter, Hazelwood Initiative; Kathy Boykowycz, OCC; Andrew Aurand, Megan Bursic, and Kelly Hoffman, OPDC; Ken Thompson, School of Medicine
The Mon Valley Providers Council (MVPC) is hosting a “Home Sweet Home” Housing Conference on Friday, May 17, 2002 from 9:00 am to 4:15 pm at CCAC, South Campus in West Mifflin. Cost is $15 for MVPC members and $35 for non-members. For more information call the MVPC at (412) 829-7112.
On March 12, 2002, Dollar Bank and OPDC will present a Homebuyer Workshop at the New Light Baptist Church, 3508 Frazier Street at 6:30 pm. The workshop is open for all. For more information, call OPDC at (412) 621-7863.
Kelly distributed summaries from four focus groups including: off-campus students, Central Oakland long-term residents and two South Oakland long-term resident groups. For a copy of the summaries contact Kelly Hoffman at kellyhoffman@hotmail.com.
Critical issues that came out of the focus groups included a desire for Pitt to give back to the community, and a need for a unified plan for diversity. The two focus groups held in South Oakland may be interested in starting Block Groups.
There will be a focus group tonight at People’s Oakland to learn about problems facing residents with Mental Health issues.
Stephanie Schoenberg will be staffing the COPC/HRC Satellite Office as soon as the computer ordered is received. Her office hours will be Tuesday 9:00am – 3:00pm; Wednesday 9:00am – 5:00pm; Thursday 9:00am – 3:00pm.
Grant Ervin of the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) spoke with the group about Private Right of Action, the new city legislation that allows individuals and community organizations to bring complaints against property owners who do not comply with property maintenance, zoning and building codes.
Initiating a Private Right of Action takes diligence. Start by completing a private criminal complaint form, which must be approved by a city magistrate. Next, provide the Housing Court Magistrate with documentation that supports the case. This should include photographs of the existing property conditions. Following submission of evidence, the Housing Court Magistrate will determine if the claim has standing; if this is the case, you will enter into hearing and judgement proceedings.
To obtain the Private Right of Action form through Pittsburgh Housing Court call (412) 255-2700 or stop by the following address:
Municipal Courts Building
660 First Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Housing Court will explain their role in Private Right of Action in a post-agenda hearing on March 12, 2002 at 2pm in City Council Chambers.
For a copy of the Resolution or a Question and Answer Guide to Private Right of Action contact Stephanie Schoenberg at slsst88@hotmail.com
Ken Thompson discussed a new advocacy group that is forming to address housing for disabled persons. The group is led by Paul Hanlon, a lawyer from the Disability Rights Center, and will meet Friday, February 15, 2002 at 10:00am in the Ross Building. Ken opened the meeting up for members of the Working Group on Housing to attend.