Operation Better Block set to help Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood one block at a time

PITTSBURGH — Operation Better Block has been helping the Homewood community for decades. Executive Director Jerome Jackson says they’re not slowing down.

He’s been with the non-profit for 12 years.

“Operation Better Block has been part of Black History in Pittsburgh and in this community for over 50 years,” said Jerome Jackson.

Jackson tells Channel 11 their focus is to help the Homewood community one block at a time.

He tells Channel 11 they do it by offering emergency assistance on light and gas bills.

They help neighbors get caught up on property taxes and file income taxes.

The non-profit also teaches kids about testing soil and growing fruits and veggies on vacant lots.

“It’s always a challenge and I’m a person that likes challenges. Some days the challenges are tough and I’m thinking why did I get into this but at the end of the day.”

Jackson says he knows that if people’s environment can change, it will change their entire life. He believes the non-profit is doing that through their rehab for resale program.

They’ve completed six homes and sold them and are currently working on four more homes.

We’re told they have 30 people in their homeownership program with all the participants looking to buy homes in Homewood.

“We want people to get in on the ground floor. We plan to vigilantly keep talking to people about getting in on the ground floor of the development in Homewood. They have to and if they don’t, they’re going to be on the outside looking in,” said Jackson.

Learn more about the program by clicking here -- https://obbinc.org/

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