Dave Brewton was a tireless advocate for housing justice in Pittsburgh. Over a 44year career, he raised more than $52 million, developed 166 affordable housing units, and helped at-risk families access healthcare, while fostering job training, rental preservation, and youth employment initiatives.
A longtime ally of the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG), Dave was a powerful voice in local and regional housing coalitions. He represented many of them at the PCRG table, whether on Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) advocacy campaigns, pushing financial institutions to invest more equitably in neighborhoods that had long been disinvested. His commitment to equitable development aligned deeply with PCRG’s mission, and he was a consistent presence at our coalition meetings — helping shape housing policy, share on-the-ground insight, and advocate for practical solutions to Pittsburgh’s affordable housing crisis.
Dave’s collaboration with PCRG extended to grassroots forums and policy briefings where he elevated the perspectives of community-based organizations and challenged decision-makers to prioritize long-time residents over speculative development. Whether testifying on inclusionary zoning or contributing to working groups on land access, Dave brought both a technical lens and a moral compass to the table. His deep relationships with banks, city officials, and fellow practitioners helped turn advocacy into implementation.
From the earliest days of his work at Breachmenders, Inc. — a churchbased CDC he founded in West Oakland that's no longer in operation — Dave understood housing as the foundation of neighborhood health and stability. There, he pioneered labor free home repairs and lease purchase models that empowered residents to build equity while keeping their communities intact. His work on Allequippa Place and later on the Oakland Affordable Living development created mixedincome housing that prioritized longtime residents even as real estate markets shifted.
During his decade-long tenure as Senior Director of Real Estate at the Hazelwood Initiative, Dave helped secure or preserve over 65 affordable rental units, completed more than 25 homes for firsttime buyers, and managed repair programs benefiting more than 250 homeowners. In July 2024, a new homeownership project on Flowers Avenue was celebrated with a ribbon cutting and heartfelt mayoral proclamation — honoring Dave’s leadership and legacy in housing and healthcare advocacy.
A Lasting Legacy
Dave Brewton’s legacy is woven into Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods — reviving communities through thoughtful development, bridging gaps in housing and healthcare access, and mentoring a generation of advocates committed to justice and equity. His leadership in CDC redevelopment and affordable housing ground initiatives created a lasting impact and inspired broader systems change.
As local leaders reflected at the 2024 proclamation event, these projects are only meaningful when the people they serve can stay — and Dave made sure they could. In memorializing Dave, we honor not just a developer or advocate, but a builder of belonging, rooted in justice, integrity, and steadfast community partnership.