The bulk of the $335 million the City of Pittsburgh received as part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan will be used to prevent the mass layoffs that had been projected in the city’s budget.
Mayor Bill Peduto’s oft-touted “P4 principles” (people, planet, place, performance) will guide the spending, which was determined by the City Council’s Joint Pittsburgh Recovery Task Force, which worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget. Equity, sustainability, job creation and strengthening neighborhoods are the cited goals.
The plan allocates $112 million to avoid laying off up to 600 people and $22 million to restore those positions already cut.
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan pandemic relief bill passed in March, making headlines for its $1,400 stimulus checks and the expanded child tax credit. It also provided $350 billion in funding for cities, states and tribal governments that had to make drastic cutbacks during the pandemic.
The city also plans to spend:
- $21 million for OwnPGH, which promotes affordable homeownership in Pittsburgh.
- $20 million to remove lead from water lines and paint throughout the city.
- $19 million to improve CitiParks Recreation Centers.
- $12 million for 8,000 new ultra-efficient LED streetlights.
- $10 million to create a program with the Urban Redevelopment Authority to help low-to-moderate income homeowners afford to make home improvements, including weatherization.
- $7.5 million for purchasing electric vehicles and infrastructure for the city’s fleet.
- $2 million for community public safety facilities to respond to the spike in violent crime.
The complete list — which includes dozens of other items — can be found here.
