Growing up in McKeesport, I have countless memories of playing in and around homes where my friends and their families lived. Unfortunately, many of those homes now stand abandoned, their windows shattered and their once lively interiors silent. The empty lots that dot our cityscape, resulting from the demolition of these derelict houses, no longer serve as centers of community but voids in our neighborhoods.

The Vacant Property Recovery Program offers a practical solution by allowing individuals to purchase these vacant properties at a minimal cost, covering just closing expenses, in exchange for a pledge to renovate and occupy them as their primary homes. This initiative not only transforms these properties into homes again but also rejuvenates neighborhoods, bolsters the local economy, and fosters a sense of community pride.

Despite the visible benefits and success of the program in numerous surrounding cities, townships, and boroughs, McKeesport has yet to participate. By joining, McKeesport can help rehabilitate its landscape, create opportunities for affordable housing, and bring life back to its empty lots.

Let us urge the city officials of McKeesport to align with us in this vision. It is imperative to take action now to prevent further decay and to give our beloved hometown a chance to flourish. With your support, we can make this change happen. Please sign this petition to demonstrate our commitment to a revitalized McKeesport.