The city of Pittsburgh has not seen significant population growth in more than 90 years, but some local politicians are confident that the situation can be changed through local action and support from a possible presidential election under Kamala Harris.

Pittsburgh City Councilman Bob Charland (Democrats, South Side) and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor (Democrats, Squirrel Hill) held a press conference Thursday morning and advocated for a change to the city’s zoning code to allow for denser development and streamline the process of building new housing units.

“We have an opportunity to upgrade the area and make the city more affordable by creating more housing,” Charland said.

The city’s outdated zoning code has stalled and prevented housing projects. If Harris wants to win in November, building more housing is necessary, he said.

The elected officials were joined by housing activist David Vatz of Pro-Housing Pittsburgh at a news conference at a Harris campaign office on the South Side. They all supported Harris’ housing plan, which calls for building 3 million new housing units across the country over the next four years, providing $25,000 for first-time home buyers and other proposals.

Vatz says there is currently a housing shortage in the city, driving up rents, especially in popular neighborhoods. Although the city’s population is not growing, Vatz says there is still a shortage of tens of thousands of apartments as demand for single living increases and many city apartments are old and dilapidated.

“We need a lot more housing,” Vatz said. “The city’s housing needs analysis found that we are 8,200 units short of people making $10 an hour. We are 16,000 units short of people making over $75,000.”

O’Connor said adjusting the city’s zoning is important to avoid holding back any potential growth, especially if the Harris administration can keep its campaign promises.

“We can’t stop growth,” he said. “This is where the local level has to be ready. Get them a permit so they can start building, because we need housing at all levels.”

And O’Connor said this is not just an urban policy, but housing construction is being pushed forward in small towns and large cities across the country. He pointed out that Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, toured steel towns along the Ohio River in Beaver County during their last visit to the region.

O’Connor said the Harris campaign knows that promoting housing is important for rural areas, suburbs and big cities.

“They didn’t come directly to the city. They went to areas of the region where steel mills used to operate but are no longer there. They need help. Your plan makes sense because it creates prosperity in all these steel towns in our region.”