City Council has approved spending $9,000 to help study tax abatements and other breaks given for housing, offices, and hotels Downtown and in city neighborhoods.

The city now offers a three-year abatement on property taxes for new housing citywide, a sliding 10-year tax break for some projects, and sometimes large subsidies backed by future tax revenues.

Councilman William Peduto, sponsor of the study, has said that can be complicated and subjective.

The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation will be the conduit for the funding. The study will be done by consultant Steven Zecher, who has worked with the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority and the state. A final draft is expected by Oct. 30.