Over the past decade, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) has been active in the Wilkinsburg community, providing over $400,000 in low-interest loans to non-profit organizations and over $30,000 in grants to religious organizations for the restoration of their historic religious building. As a result of the PHLF-led Wilkinsburg Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, a program that incorporated neighborhood residents in establishing restoration priorities, PHLF has begun restoring many architecturally significant homes in the historic Hamnett Place corridor of Wilkinsburg in an effort to spur additional private investment and development in the area. Vital to the success of these redevelopment projects are the Sarah Scaife and Allegheny Foundations and the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, which have provided capital money for these significant restoration efforts. PHLF is also engaged in numerous commercial redevelopment projects which include the Crescent/Wilson apartments and the Packard Building.
While PHLF's involvement in Wilkinsburg centers around the historic restoration of architecturally significant buildings, its work also impacts overall community revitalization efforts. In December 2007, PHLF worked with students from the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management to research and provide recommendations for reducing Wilkinsburg's high tax rate. The study also outlined numerous ideas for "green" initiatives for the Borough. The results of this study are currently under review and consideration by Wilkinsburg's Borough Council, and are part of PHLF's plans for furthering its work in the community.
In addition, PHLF's new subsidiary, Landmarks Community Capital Corporation (LCCC), which was formed in October 2007 with the mission of providing capital, development expertise, and pre- and post- technical assistance to low- and moderate-income communities, expands upon the historic preservation mission of PHLF by serving as a catalyst for economic development and community revitalization.