Common Roots

05/22/2026

Happy Friday! May 22, 2026 a historic day for Common Roots. Today we sell our first home as a community land trust. We couldn't be here without the support of our city, the partnership of Allegheny College, and unwavering dedication of our volunteers and supporters.

Community land trusts like Common Roots exist to make homeownership attainable for low and moderate income people. 70% of Meadville rents their homes, compared to 35% of PA. We are going to change that.

05/22/2026

Built Here was excellent! We got to show off our home designs and connect with potential new homeowners!

05/21/2026

05/19/2026

Common Roots is thrilled to be participating in Allegheny Lab for Innovation and Creativity - ALIC at Bessemer's Built Here event on Thursday!

Big things are happening. Affordable education. Affordable homes. Come check out all the opportunities right here in our community!

05/18/2026

Say hi to Nathan, our summer research student! He'll be working for the next 8 weeks on communicating Common Roots' impact and launching our new training program. Nathan's work with Common Roots is possible thanks to the Community Impact Hub - Allegheny College 💚💛💙

05/16/2026

Saturday maintenance project! A crew of Common Roots residents came together to start on a stormwater management project. If you want to help out in the coming weeks, you can sign up here: https://commonrootspa.app.neoncrm.com/forms/volunteer

05/08/2026

For the past several months, students and faculty from Allegheny College have been working with Common Roots to capture our work and impact as part of Project Pericles' Civic Storytelling Lab. Today students shared parts of their storytelling project with Common Roots members. Stay tuned! Their short videos about Common Roots mission, organization, and programs will be coming out soon 🤩🤩🤩

05/08/2026

Today our team presented at the PCRG Community Development Summit about our Do-It-Together approach to affordable housing. Julie talked about Common Roots' mission and how we're developing homes together in collaboration with our city and community partners. Carlin talked about how we're building together through our Self-Help Housing program and volunteer-led affordable design work. Jen, a William Street Renting Cooperative Member, stole the show by sharing her own story of finding Common Roots and all the ways that the Do-It-Together approach has transformed her family's life.

05/07/2026

HOPE's junk haul happens next Saturday, May 16th. They need additional support with loading junk into trucks and truck/trailer drivers. If that is something you can provide, sign up via the QR code below!

05/07/2026

Come out today and say hi to Bryce. Bryce will be there to answer all of your questions about our wonderful programs.

This wonderful crew set up 75 tables and chairs in preparation for CHAPS’ Mental Health and Wellness Fair tomorrow from 11:00 -3:00 at the Downtown Mall. It’s going to be a great day! We hope you will stop by! 😊

05/06/2026

Common Roots is on the road! We are heading to Pittsburgh to speak at the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group Summit about our Do It Together approach to affordable housing! Send us good vibes - we are a little nervous 😬