Pursuit To Own, under the leadership of founder Christopher Pitt, is advancing a transformative approach to community development and homeownership by turning blighted properties into pathways for generational wealth creation. With deep roots in Wilmington, Delaware, and a rapidly growing footprint, the organization is redefining what equitable housing revitalization can look like—centering residents, youth, and local businesses in the rebuilding process.
Christopher Pitt, also founder of PittPass Development Group, launched Pursuit To Own with a singular mission: to transition individuals and families—particularly Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) recipients—from renting to owning. Rather than approaching real estate solely as a financial transaction, Pitt’s model embeds economic case management and neighborhood-level engagement into each project. This dual focus allows Pursuit To Own to address not only physical blight but also systemic barriers that have long denied homeownership to underserved populations.
Pitt’s personal experiences are embedded into every layer of the initiative. Raised by a family of modern-day sharecroppers and having experienced housing insecurity firsthand, he brings both lived experience and visionary leadership to the sector. His work is not rooted in theory, but in reality. For Pitt, access to stable, affordable housing is not an abstract goal—it is a fundamental right, and a critical lever for closing the racial wealth gap.
In neighborhoods where vacant, deteriorating homes have historically symbolized disinvestment, Pursuit To Own is catalyzing visible, lasting change. Each renovated property becomes more than a house—it becomes a platform for economic mobility. The process begins with structural rehabilitation but quickly expands to include holistic community investment. Contractors hired for renovation projects are often minority-owned, small, and locally based. Many of the tradespeople are residents of the very communities being served, reinforcing Pitt’s commitment to inclusive development and workforce reinvestment.
Pursuit To Own also engages youth directly. Through partnerships with local vocational and technical schools, students are brought on-site to receive hands-on training and mentorship. These young apprentices gain tangible skills while participating in neighborhood revitalization efforts, many of them working on homes they could one day own themselves. The integration of youth labor not only addresses talent pipeline issues in skilled trades but also instills a sense of agency and belonging among the next generation.
“People ask why we pour so much into these neighborhoods,” Pitt reflects. “And the answer is simple—we don’t just renovate houses, we revive hope. We make sure the community is a part of the change because they are the reason for the change.”
In addition to physical development, Pursuit To Own places a strong emphasis on education and empowerment. Free homeownership workshops are offered regularly, tailored specifically for first-time buyers who may not be familiar with the complexities of the homebuying process. These sessions focus on financial literacy, credit preparation, budgeting, and navigating mortgage systems. As Pitt notes, “Our amenities are financial literacies.” The organization’s ethos is captured in another of his recurring messages: “We don’t sell real estate, we serve real estate with a purpose.”
The impact of this work is measurable in both tangible and intangible ways. Dozens of families have moved into newly renovated homes, while many more are in the pipeline through HCV transition programming. Beyond property statistics, there are significant ripple effects—employment opportunities for contractors, career pathways for students, and increased neighborhood pride and stability for long-time residents. Blighted streets are gradually being reshaped into cohesive, empowered communities.
While gentrification and displacement remain concerns in urban redevelopment, Pitt’s model offers an alternative. Rather than replacing existing residents, Pursuit To Own focuses on retaining and elevating them. Homeownership is framed not as a reward for survival but as a tool for thriving. PittPass Development Group, his parallel entity, complements this work by leading commercial and mixed-use development projects aligned with the same values of equity and inclusion.
Collaboration is another hallmark of the Pursuit To Own model. The organization actively works with housing authorities, local government bodies, nonprofit organizations, and social impact investors to ensure alignment with broader housing goals. Pitt’s strategies have been shared in national forums, including TEDx presentations, and inform discussions around how to modernize the American housing system to be more just, effective, and scalable.
Although rooted in Delaware, the vision of Pursuit To Own has wider implications. The scalable nature of the approach—pairing community development with workforce engagement and housing education—has garnered attention from policymakers and practitioners in cities across the United States. With a deep commitment to building not just units, but communities, Pitt’s work is viewed by many as a replicable model for tackling housing inequities in other historically underserved regions.
Christopher Pitt’s leadership stands out in an increasingly crowded field of urban development voices. His methods do not rely on top-down charity or distant investment; instead, they are grounded in community proximity and shared experience. His team works in, with, and for the neighborhoods they seek to uplift. It is this intentional, transparent, and local-first approach that distinguishes Pursuit To Own in the eyes of both community members and stakeholders.
Pitt’s story continues to resonate as a narrative of transformation—not just for individuals, but for entire blocks and boroughs. By connecting purpose to property and equity to investment, he is forging a new path toward sustainable homeownership. In a time when affordability and access remain national challenges, the work of Pursuit To Own stands as a timely intervention and a long-term commitment.
As the organization moves forward, its trajectory is aimed not only at expanding its footprint but also at strengthening its systems and refining its impact. For Pitt, the goal remains steadfast: to ensure that the opportunity to own a home—and the dignity that comes with it—is never determined by zip code, income bracket, or historical exclusion. Instead, it is earned through partnership, cultivated through education, and made possible through a shared commitment to rebuilding communities from the inside out.
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