As a core organizer with the Penn Plaza Support and Action Coalition, Crystal Jennings has worked tirelessly to mobilize displaced residents. Seeing the crisis of displacement firsthand as the daughter of a long time resident of Penn Plaza Apartments, where hundreds were displaced to make way for a retail development, she was able to build strong relationships with the residents, engaging in direct support and helping lead the campaign for housing justice. She was born and raised in the East Liberty Gardens area where she learned the importance of Community = Family.

Crystal engages tenants in campaigns for affordable housing and works with RentHelpPGH as both a Resource Navigator and on the admin team. She is a powerful speaker and organizer and, as a member of the community, is committed to the outreach, engagement, and mobilization of people who are impacted by our City’s affordable housing crisis.

Crystal is the Stewardship & Community Engagement Manager at City of Bridges Community Land Trust (CLT) where she works one-on-one with applicants throughout their home buying process. Community Land Trusts create affordable housing for low-to-moderate income residents, allowing them to build equity as homeowners.