News:
Last updated: January 18, 2008
(Follow this link to visit the Archive of PCRG news releases.)
July 5, 2007
Don't Borrow Trouble® is a public awareness campaign to assist home owners avoid bad loans and predatory lenders.
In the past five years PCRG has seen an increase in exotic mortgage products, which combined with lax licensing requirements for brokers and appraisers, has led to high increase in predatory loans or what we call “bad loans,” which is why we have a higher foreclosure rates.
We urge home owners who are late in their mortgage payments or facing foreclosure to call the Don’t Borrow Trouble hotline. Studies show that 50% of delinquent borrowers do not call their lender. Please call the Don't Borrow Trouble hotline at 866-907-2285. There is help available.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
June 29, 2007
Group Pushes Ways To Avoid Predatory Lenders
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
June 30, 2007
Group Fights Bad Loan Practices in Allegheny County
PCRG Summer Picnic (PDF, 3.38 MB) - Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).
Testimony - City of Pittsburgh Capital Budget Hearings (PDF, 24 KB)
Press Release - First Commonwealth Partners with PCRG (PDF, 81 KB)
Legislative Update - September 22, 2006 (PDF, 64 KB)
Homeownership: Preserving the American Dream (PDF, 82 KB)
Testimony to Casino Task Force, May 10, 2006 (PDF, 80 KB)
Legislative Update - December 30, 2005 (PDF, 120 KB)
Legislative Update - October 10, 2005 (PDF, 83 KB)
Legislative Update - August 23, 2005 (PDF, 106 KB)
Vacant Property Working Group - Year In Review 2003 (PDF, 123 KB)
PCRG Annual Meeting Draws Rave Reviews
Pictured from left to right: Ernie Hogan PCRG Chair; LaShawn Burton-Faulk, First National Bank; Steven Shivak, PCRG Executive Director
On June 22, 2006, in front of 150 people, PCRG Chairman Ernie Hogan introduced PCRG’s new executive director Steven Shivak. Shivak led the audience, consisting of neighborhood groups, banks, foundations and non-profit organizations, through the vision of PCRG for the next 18 months. “In going through the presentation this evening” Shivak spoke “you will see PCRG harnessing the collective energy of our neighborhoods, partners and stakeholders and creating initiatives that move our neighborhoods, our city, and our county forward.”
As a consortium of community leaders working for economic justice, equitable investment practices and sufficient financial resources to revitalize communities throughout Allegheny County, PCRG’s goals include opportunities to increase investment into communities through vacant property reform, curbing predatory lending, establishing neighborhood priorities, offering programming on wealth creation and advocating on issues impacting neighborhoods. PCRG accomplishes these goals through comprehensive, thorough research and analysis of communities where we work and invest, quantitative and qualitative measurements that track neighborhood investment, relevant trends and performance of institutions throughout the region and identification of best practices for adaptation and implementation in our region
Attendees were buzzing at the direction of PCRG. “With its current/new direction,” stated Anne-Marie Lubenau, Executive Director of the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, “PCRG will provide a collective vision for community development throughout the City/region. George Fausold, National City’s Vice President and Community Reinvestment Officer was equally exited: “With the restructuring of the board and the introduction of Steve Shivak as the new Executive Director it is our hope that PCRG's planned strategies and initiatives once again bring the organization to the forefront of community stability and revitalization." Jane Downing, The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Senior Program Officer summarized “PCRG’s new agenda is ambitious in breadth and depth with the potential for meaningful change for individuals and families and communities. Thanks for setting high goals!”
To learn more about PCRG’s initiatives and activities, contact us at (412) 391-6732.
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