Ralph Falbo: Building Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing Legacy, One Home at a Time
Written by Delaney Pipon
In the ever-evolving landscape of Pittsburgh, Ralph Falbo has been a constant for over five decades. His story isn't one of steel or tech, but of homes - affordable homes for those who need them most.
Falbo's journey began at Allegheny Housing Rehabilitation (Ahrco) in the late 1960s. As Vice President of Finance, he oversaw an ambitious goal: 2,000 new housing units annually, built by minority contractors the organization was determined to support.
When federal policies shifted in the mid-1970s, Falbo didn't miss a beat. He launched Ralph A. Falbo Inc., turning his attention to elderly housing under HUD's Section 202 program. Working alongside nonprofits like Christian Housing, Falbo and his team breathed new life into vacant schools and underused properties across the city.
One project stands out in Falbo's memory. "Father Paul Kuppe put his heart and desire into helping drive the program," he recalls. This collaboration exemplified Falbo's approach: partnering with passionate community members to create housing that truly served local needs.
Falbo's team was known for their dedication. Each morning, they'd pile into a single car in McKees Rocks, commuting together to job sites across Pittsburgh. They were a tight-knit group, committed to tackling the city's housing challenges head-on.
As Pittsburgh's needs evolved, so did Falbo's focus. He expanded into housing for special populations, working with nonprofits specializing in serving those with physical and intellectual challenges. When HUD reduced its involvement in certain programs, Falbo pivoted again, this time to Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects. A partnership with Pennrose Properties of Philadelphia proved fruitful, resulting in nearly 7,000 new affordable units over 25 years.
Throughout his career, Falbo has maintained a pragmatic philosophy. "There is no cookie-cutter experience in this business," he often says. "Every project has its own personality, problems, and rewards." This approach has served him well, allowing him to adapt to changing policies and market conditions while never losing sight of his core mission.
Ask Falbo about Pittsburgh, and his appreciation for the city is clear. "It's a really, really great town with great people," he states simply. He believes in the potential of private enterprise, coupled with community engagement, to revitalize urban areas.
In 2018, Falbo sold his interest in Ralph A. Falbo Inc. to longtime associate Michael Polite. Yet retirement isn't in his vocabulary. He continues to work with Pennrose on projects in Western Pennsylvania and Cleveland, bringing his wealth of experience to new communities.
Ralph Falbo's legacy in Pittsburgh's affordable housing sector isn't built on grand gestures or headline-grabbing projects. Instead, it's written in the thousands of homes he's helped create, in the communities strengthened by his work, and in the lives changed by having a safe, affordable place to call home.
