Jumpstart Pittsburgh program graduates first cohort trained to reclaim vacant properties

Jumpstart Pittsburgh, a program designed to train residents to reclaim vacant properties and build community-owned assets, recently held the graduation of its very first cohort.

Jumpstart Pittsburgh, a Historic Hill Institute program, had 25 graduates from throughout the region for its first cohort on August 6. According to Historic Hill Institute Founder Kimberly Ellis, the program was inspired by Jumpstart programs based in Philadelphia and Germantown that were created by Ken Weinstein.

The second Jumpstart cohort will begin in October, with applications already open for those interested in applying. According to Ellis, the program aims to help individuals learn how to source, fund, rehab, and sell or own and rent single- and multi-family properties.