Publisher's page: Groundbreaking celebrates 35-unit renovation project | The Homepage

Project focuses on sustainable material reuse strategies to keep costs down, reduce carbon footprint

Officials and housing advocates at 314 Renova St. for the June 12 celebration of a 35-unit affordable housing rehab project. Photo by Calvin Dziewulski

By Hazelwood Initiative Inc.

Hazelwood Initiative Inc. and Volpatt Construction Corporation hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on June 12 to celebrate the launch of a 35-home renovation project that began in 2025. The $3 million investment will preserve long-term affordable rental housing in Hazelwood. Mayor Corey O’Connor and District 5 City Councilor Barb Warwick joined the partners at 314 Renova St. for the event.

“These were horrible houses before; now they’re in great shape,” Mr. O’Connor said. “The more we can find ways to lower costs for contractors, the more we can create opportunities to offer housing at a lower price point. That opens the door to future homeownership, and that’s important to Pittsburgh’s growth.”

“Affordable housing preservation is one of the most important anti-displacement strategies available to communities experiencing reinvestment pressure,” said Hazelwood Initiative Inc. Director of Real Estate Nancy Noszka. “These homes are already part of the fabric of the neighborhood. By upgrading these 35 single-family homes, we are not only improving housing conditions but also investing in the long-term stability of each property. At the same time, we are creating innovative sustainability strategies that can help make affordable housing more feasible in the future.”

Hazelwood Initiative Inc. and Volpatt Construction began working together in 2025 to renovate 35 single-family homes in the neighborhood. Early on, the partners discovered a shared commitment to affordable housing preservation and innovative material reuse strategies.

The project’s goal is to preserve existing affordable rental and for-sale housing while modernizing aging homes with critical health, safety, energy-efficiency and systems upgrades. Many of the homes included in the project are older structures requiring substantial rehabilitation, including roof replacement, electrical upgrades, HVAC improvements, structural repairs, lead-safe remediation, plumbing upgrades and energy-efficiency improvements.

For Ms. Noszka, reusing building materials has long been both a practical and sustainable approach to development. When she learned that Michael Volpatt, vice president of marketing and innovation at Volpatt Construction, also served on the board of Construction Junction, the connection was immediate.

What began as conversations about construction costs and housing affordability quickly evolved into a collaborative effort grounded in creativity, sustainability and shared values. The partners began sourcing reclaimed kitchen cabinets, flooring, fixtures and other materials through Construction Junction. Volpatt incorporated those materials into the renovation projects.

“At Volpatt Construction, we’ve been focused on proving that material reuse is not just environmentally responsible — it’s economically smart,” Mr. Volpatt said. “This partnership shows what’s possible when affordable housing developers, contractors and reuse organizations collaborate early in the process. Together, we’re creating housing opportunities while keeping valuable materials out of landfills and putting them back into the community.”

This partnership demonstrates that material reuse is about more than salvaging building products. It is about people finding common ground around affordability, craftsmanship, environmental responsibility and long-term community investment. Together, Hazelwood Initiative Inc. and Volpatt are showing that reclaimed construction materials can play a meaningful role in preserving affordable housing, reducing waste and stretching limited development dollars further.