Author Archives: Eric Jankiewicz

Eric Jankiewicz is a reporter focused on housing and economic development for PublicSource. A native New Yorker, Eric moved to Pittsburgh in 2017 and has since fallen in love with his adopted city, even if the city hasn't yet fallen in love with him. Before joining PublicSource, Eric was a court reporter for the Butler Eagle, where he covered criminal and civil proceedings, including several murder trials. Eric has also worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and NBC News. Eric graduated from CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. When he isn't working, Eric likes to split his time between finding the best pizza in Pittsburgh and traveling around the area for whitewater kayaking.

ericj@publicsource.org

Historic photo of Bethel AME Church, a large, Romanesque-style cathedral, amid demolition. A crane hovers over the building, and a few construction workers stand in front.

Updated: Developer skeptical of Hill surcharge proposal as key church calls for affordable housing

by Eric Jankiewicz and Rich Lord October 17, 2022October 18, 2022

Jared Wallace, Citizens Bank's head of property, strategy and execution, shows the City Planning Commission a rendering of a potential new branch to be constructed in East Liberty, in a June 1, 2021 meeting conducted via Zoom. (Screenshot)

Planning Commission again denies East Liberty bank demolition, leaves room for third try

by Eric Jankiewicz October 4, 2022October 5, 2022

Melvin Court along Lindberg Avenue as photographed on Sept. 9, 2022, in Penn Hills. The property was designated affordable housing under a tax credit requirement that recently expired. Nonprofit ACTION-Housing tried to buy it in hopes of preserving it as affordable housing but a private buyer offered more. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource)

ECONOMY & HOUSING

Will the rent rise? When affordability rules expire, agencies can be outbid and out-hustled by private firms

by Eric Jankiewicz September 29, 2022September 29, 2022

ECONOMY & HOUSING

URA weighs joining Housing Authority to aid new homeowners

by Eric Jankiewicz September 8, 2022September 8, 2022

Children run along the Somers Drive section of Bedford Dwellings as Pittsburgh’s skyline rises in the background on a sunny day, on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. At right, power lines run along the street illuminated by the setting sun, at left, framed by trees and bushes and green lawns, the brick buildings of Bedford Dwellings sit before a sidewalk and line of parked cars.

ECONOMY & HOUSING

Second chance for Pittsburgh’s first public housing: Application for $50 million nearly done

by Eric Jankiewicz and Stephanie Strasburg September 7, 2022December 9, 2022

Robert Spragling, who lives in McKeesport Towers, stands for a portrait after his visit to court on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in McKeesport. Spragling told a district judge during his eviction hearing that he couldn't afford to pay the $822 he owed in rent to McKeesport Housing Authority. Spragling was referred to a Department of Human Services official who helped him fill out paperwork to get rent for June and July from remaining federal assistance funds. But come September, Spragling may be facing another eviction hearing.(Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource)

ECONOMY & HOUSING

Eviction filings surge as COVID rent relief ends

by Eric Jankiewicz August 18, 2022August 18, 2022

A man walks on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University on March 27. In response to COVID-19, CMU has switched to remote learning for the remainder of the semester and encouraged all students to leave on campus housing if they're able to. (Photo by Kimberly Rowen/PublicSource)

CMU master plan prioritizes community integration

by Eric Jankiewicz July 26, 2022July 26, 2022