East Hills is a small neighborhood measuring just 0.541 square miles in total area that is the east-most section of the city of Pittsburgh. The area’s hilly topography is adjacent to Homewood and Wilkinsburg Borough in the city, with Penn Hills Municipality on its eastern edge. Much of the eastern part of East Hills was originally vacant land until it was purchased by ACTION Housing, Inc. in the early 1960s. The population of this section of Pittsburgh was 3,169 individuals in 2010 census data.
East Hills is anchored by community groups who connect residents and offer services such as mentoring for the many children of all ages. Approximately 37% of the population of the East Hills are children 19 years of age or younger. The community helped build a playground in October 2005 to provide a play space for the many children.
Residents of “Second East Hills” worked together to implement youth and adult programs that are housed in the new multi-purpose community center. The community center has a computer lab, health and wellness center, an assembly room and office space.
As part of a $1.3 million YouthBuild grant secured with ACTION Housing that focused on the East Hills neighborhood, 80 youth received training in construction and also received basic educational services. YouthBuild programs in the United States and internationally help low-income young people learn construction skills to help build affordable housing and other community assets such as community centers and schools.
East Hills is stabilized by its shopping district, which resembles easy city shopping, where you can find hardware, clothing, food, flowers, and medical service all only a few minutes away from residential areas.