Common-Unity Pgh.
Common-Unity is an educational learning program dedicated to empowering residents through education and equipping them with the skills needed for economic growth and community revitalization. By focusing on sustainability, advocacy, and lifelong learning, we foster a stronger, more resilient community where individuals take ownership of their future.
What We Offer
In-Person & Online Courses – We provide educational classes that teach individuals how to reclaim and revitalize blighted properties, preserving resources for sustainability and economic empowerment.
Membership Network – Our community of like-minded individuals offers support, motivation, and shared knowledge to navigate local government policies, including land banks and vacant property acquisition.
Advocacy & Self-Sufficiency – We equip residents with the tools to become knowledgeable advocates, ensuring they have the resources to rebuild their communities, fight displacement, and promote local ownership.
1-on-1 Consultations – Personalized guidance on purchasing vacant property, sustainability practices, and community advocacy.
Private Group Sessions for Entities & Organizations – Tailored workshops for businesses, nonprofits, and community groups on property redevelopment, local policy navigation, and economic empowerment strategies.
Property Redemption Assistance – Helping property owners reclaim their property by collecting back-tax information, guiding them through the redemption process, and ensuring they meet critical deadlines.
At Common-Unity, we believe that knowledge + access = power. With the right information and a strong network, we can reclaim our communities, prevent gentrification-driven displacement, and create a future of sustainable growth.
Join us in rebuilding our neighborhoods—one lesson, one property, one community at a time.
Mission:
Common-Unity Pgh’s mission is to educate and empower communities to take ownership of vacant properties, engage in sustainable practices, and advocate for environmental justice. Through workshops, advocacy, and hands-on education, we aim to create more sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities in Pittsburgh.
Vision:
To foster a community where every resident has the knowledge and resources to create lasting change, advocate for their rights, and live sustainably. Common-Unity Pgh envisions a future where environmental justice and sustainability are accessible to all, through education and community empowerment.
Common-Unity Pgh. is a community-driven organization founded by Billie Vaughn in 2017, born from her personal journey toward sustainability and empowerment. As a mother living in Pittsburgh, Billie faced numerous challenges, including displacement, which sparked her interest in understanding how the environment and local government systems work. This curiosity led her to learn about vacant property processes and how revitalizing blighted areas could offer communities an opportunity to gain ownership and drive change.
The foundation of Common-Unity Pgh is rooted in Billie’s experience with displacement throughout her childhood, which motivated her to help others overcome similar obstacles. This personal connection drove the creation of the Value the Vacant workshop, designed to educate community members on how to purchase and revitalize vacant properties for community ownership. Since 2017, this workshop has directly contributed to over 200 workshop attendees and 11 known community residents purchasing vacant properties, empowering them to be part of the revitalization process.
Billie’s passion for thrifting also became a key part of the organization's mission. With her keen eye for quality, she teaches others how to find value through thrifting, supporting sustainable practices and raising awareness about reusing resources to protect the environment. Her expertise in thrifting and vacant property processes has allowed her to teach with unmatched passion, equipping others with the skills to be self-sufficient and sustainable. Billie’s work extends beyond property revitalization. Her role as a community liaison with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) on their water quality roadmap deepened her understanding of environmental justice issues, particularly concerning water quality in Pittsburgh. This involvement inspired her to spearhead initiatives to increase access to clean drinking water in Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) districts. Through these efforts, she has become a powerful advocate for public health and environmental justice.
Common-Unity Pgh’s education programs are vital to empowering residents with the knowledge and skills needed to foster economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and community revitalization. By teaching the process of purchasing and revitalizing vacant properties, the organization equips individuals with the tools to address blight, build generational wealth, and strengthen neighborhoods. Additionally, workshops on thrifting and recycling provide practical pathways for supplemental income while promoting environmental responsibility, reducing waste, and fostering a culture of reuse. These programs also include environmental literacy education, helping residents better understand and improve the ecosystems surrounding their neighborhoods.