June 28, 2023 Allegheny County Family Resource Map Highlights Supports for Locals Did you know the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 offers an interactive, online tool to help families navigate area programs and services? The Allegheny County Family Resource Map provides caregivers of young children and other residents in Allegheny County the opportunity to locate available supports closest to them. About the Allegheny County Family Resource Map Launched in 2020, the map highlights the addresses, phone numbers, and websites of a variety of family supports, including those on: aging care and education employment family activities food health housing new parents outdoors and recreation transportation, and wi-fi locations Through the map, families can find countywide resources and services closest to them, such as senior community centers, family centers, early learning programs, public schools, WIC offices, parks, libraries, food pantries, diaper banks, clinics, public housing, Port Authority bus stops, and more. Access the Map Access the map here or visit the ELRC Region 5 website. Learn More For questions or to submit a map suggestion, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.
June 26, 2023 Housing Resources Available for Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Families Local and state organizations continually offer a number of resources and programs to help families with housing, rent, utilities, and repairs. To support families in need of assistance, Trying Together compiled a list of these resources. Find the list below. About the Trying Together Housing Resource List Entitled, “Housing Resources for Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Families,” the Trying Together housing resource list features information on: homebuying assistance mortgage and rent assistance homelessness and housing insecurity public and low-income housing assistance with utilities assistance with home improvement and repairs housing mediation and legal services other housing supports Access the Trying Together Housing Resource List Access or download the Trying Together housing resource list. Additional Resources For additional housing, food, employment, and safety resources, visit: United Way – 211 NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania – Resources Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh – Housing Opportunity Fund Programs Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh – Housing Resources City of Pittsburgh – Housing Assistance Resource Portal (HARP) Trying Together – Housing Resources for Families in Allegheny County Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania – Housing, Rental & Services Assistance Resources in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency – Housing Programs Affordable Housing Programs of Pennsylvania Allegheny County – Housing Resources PA Housing Search Pennsylvania Department of Human Services – Housing Resources Nazareth Housing Services Habitat for Humanity Pittsburgh Neighborhood Legal Services Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Neighborhood Allies ACTION-Housing Learn More To learn more, use any of the above links to access online information about housing resources or programs. Additional help and information can be found by calling United Way at 2-1-1.
June 21, 2023 Healthy Homes Resource Fair Learn how to make your house a healthier home! Join Women for a Healthy Environment to celebrate their HUD-funded Healthy Homes Asthma Program by learning all about the incredible housing and health resources available in the Northside Neighborhood and greater Pittsburgh region. The day will include resource tables, games and activities, and music for all people of all ages to enjoy. Event Details Saturday, June 24 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. McKnight Playground, 1250 Page Street Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Optional: Reserve your spot. Learn More Revival Chili will be on site for anyone wishing to purchase their lunch that day. They have something for everyone on their menu! Vendors include: Women for a Healthy Environment (HUD grantee) Rebuilding Together ACTION Housing Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program (HUD grantee) University of Pittsburgh Healthy Home Lab (HUD grantee) Neighborhood Resilience Project The Wellness Collective Manchester Craftsman’s Guild Youth Neighborhood Legal Service PA Resources Council Fund My Future Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) UPMC Project Destiny/Thrive18 Allegheny Healthy Network For more information, visit the Eventbrite event page or email amandaj@womenforahealthyenvironment.org
Soon-to-End Grant Opportunity Helps Eligible Families Pay for Critical Home Repairs Action Housing Inc. is providing funds for low-income homeowners in Allegheny County to make whole-home repairs to severely damaged households through the federal Whole-Home Repairs Program. Homeowners could receive up to $50,000 in funds to fix critical issues that pose safety issues to residents, like damage to the roof, windows, or foundation of a home. Money is also available to make modifications for someone managing a disability. However, funds are limited* and based on need. Action Housing can likely only award 150-250 applicants grants. Still, families awarded grants will not need to repay the funds. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on Friday, June 30. No applications will be accepted after this time. *Disclaimer: Due to limited funding, Action Housing Inc. must prioritize homes with the worst damage. However, the application process will re-open for another 30-day period in mid to late fall. The exact time of this second application period will be announced at a later time. About the Whole-Home Repairs Program Who can apply? Who is eligible for a whole-home grant? To qualify, an applicant must: own and live in a house needing repairs in Allegheny County. be living in a home with significant habitability issues like roof damage, unsafe electric wiring, or accessibility concerns. have a total income that doesn’t exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Allegheny County. Please refer to the AMI chart to find AMI data. How does the application process work? Apply online on the Allegheny County Whole-Home Repair Program website. If you are eligible and selected for a home inspection, someone from the Whole-Home Repairs Program will contact you to schedule it. A Whole-Home Repairs inspector will visit your home to determine if the repairs qualify for funding. If the inspector approves the repairs, Action Housing will connect you with a contractor certified by the Whole-Home Repairs Program to do the work. How will applicants be notified? If you apply online, you’ll get an email about your eligibility for the program. People submitting paper applications will be notified via U.S. mail. How long does this process take? Action Housing Inc. will work as quickly as possible to schedule inspections and start construction. Still, they can’t commit to a timeline. Many collaborate to finish this work, so estimating schedules and weather dependencies is challenging. The whole process could take anywhere from a few months to a year. Additional Information & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Will I have to pay for anything? You have no cost if your application is eligible and repairs are approved. I do not have a Social Security number. Can I still apply? Absolutely! A Social Security number is requested in the application but is optional. Is citizenship required for this program? No, citizenship status is not a factor. I know someone who wants to apply, but English isn’t their native language. Call ACTION-Housing at 412-248-0021, and Action Housing Inc. will get a translator to meet with you in person or complete an application over the phone. I, or someone I know, have a physical or mental impairment that makes applying challenging. Call ACTION-Housing at 412-248-0021 to talk about accommodating your needs. I already applied for Whole-Home Repairs funding during the pilot phase of this program. When will someone contact me? Action Housing Inc. received your application, but it’s taking some time to work through the volume of applications they received. Someone will contact you if they need more information to decide or to schedule a home inspection. How is Action Housing Inc. determining who gets selected? One of the requirements outlined in the passed state bill to fund Whole-Home Repairs is that Action Housing prioritize funding for certain groups of people. They are using data to help determine how to do this best. Because funding is limited, Action Housing is prioritizing neighborhoods not invested in historically. To find a full list of FAQs, visit the Action Housing Inc. website. Apply If you meet the eligibility requirements and need financial assistance for whole-home repairs, please apply now on the Allegheny County Whole-Home Repair Program website. Additional Resources Unfortunately, Action Housing Inc. cannot award grants to all eligible applicants. If you are in need of financial assistance for home repairs and are not eligible for or awarded a grant, please consult these resources: Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP) U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development – Home Repairs in Pennsylvania U.S. Department of Agriculture – Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Pennsylvania Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Hosanna Industries Learn More The Whole-Home Repair Program is a federal program and available in counties across the Commonwealth. If you do not live in Allegheny County but are in need of financial assistance for home repairs, you can apply through an agency within your county. Find a list of agencies supporting the Whole-Home Repair Program on the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development website. To learn more, please consult the Whole-Home Repair Program Manual or visit the Action Housing Inc. website.
June 27, 2022 Apply: Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Waiting List The Allegheny County Housing Authority will accept applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) waiting list from Tuesday, July 12, through Thursday July 14. About the Housing Choice Voucher Program The ACHA provides safe and decent affordable housing for low-income residents of Allegheny County and offers two main housing programs: the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Public Housing. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a rental assistance program where residents rent directly from private landlords and their rental payments are subsidized through the voucher program. Eligibility Applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements for admission into the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: qualify as a family; have an income within the federally mandated income limits; meet citizen/eligible immigrant criteria; provide documentation of valid Social Security numbers; sign consent authorization documents the ACHA will perform criminal background reviews for each adult household member Apply Applications will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday July 14. Individuals can apply online at www.achsng.com; computers also will be available at the ACHA office at 301 Chartiers Ave, McKees Rocks, PA. All applicants are processed and placed on a waiting list. Results of the waiting list order will be posted online by July 22. Applicants MUST keep their confirmation number in order to access status. For details, visit the ACHA website.
December 24, 2020 Housing Resources for Families in Allegheny County If your family is at risk for eviction, local resources and programs are available to help. Housing and Eviction Resources Housing Stabilization Program The Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Housing Stabilization Program provides one-time or short term (up to three months) financial assistance to households who are facing a temporary, non-reoccurring housing crisis. Depending on which type of support is needed, you may be able to receive funding to cover move-in fees, utilities, rent, mortgage payments, and legal fees. Eligibility To qualify, individuals must: be a renter or homeowner, live in the City of Pittsburgh, be at or below 50 percent of the Average Monthly Income if a renter, be at or below 80 percent of the Average Monthly Income if a homeowner, and develop a stability plan with a service provider. Apply For This Program If you are eligible, contact United Way by dialing 211 or texting your zip code to 898.211. Interested applicants may also contact United Way via chatroom (located at the bottom right of the webpage) or the online contact form. Housing Legal Assistance Program The Housing Legal Assistance Program assists individuals through the following services: Tangled-Title: Legal assistance of up to $5,000 if you own a home but need the deed transferred to your name. Eviction Prevention: Legal assistance of up to $3,000 if you are at risk of eviction or are currently experiencing eviction and need legal assistance. Eligibility To qualify for Tangled-Title assistance, individuals must live in the City of Pittsburgh, have an income that is at or below 80 percent of the Average Monthly Income, and not have any outstanding City, School, and County real estate taxes (or must be on a payment plan for at least three months. To qualify for Eviction Prevention assistance, individuals must live in the City of Pittsburgh, have an income that is at or below 50 percent of the Average Monthly Income, and be experiencing wrongful threats of lock-out, eviction, or sub-standard living conditions. Apply For This Program To apply for Tangled-Title assistance, contact United Way by texting your zip code to 898-211 or by dialing 211. To apply for Eviction Prevention, call 412.255.6574 or email hof@ura.org. For more information, contact Victoria Jackson at 412.255.6696 or hof@ura.org. Just Mediation Pittsburgh Just Mediation Pittsburgh offers free, confidential mediation services to landlords and tenants who are looking to find solutions to housing disputes. Just Mediation Pittsburgh mediators facilitate a dialogue between both parties to identify positive solutions and create a shared, legally binding agreement. Request Services Participation in these services is voluntary. Both parties must be willing to share their perspectives, listen to the other individual’s perspective, and create constructive solutions. To request services, visit the Just Mediation Pittsburgh page. For more information, contact 412.228.0730 or info@mysite.com. Allegheny Link If you are experiencing a housing crisis, the Allegheny Link can help connect you to resources. The Allegheny Link will assess your eligibility for homeless supports such as rental assistance, utility assistance, and homeless services. Range Of Services The Allegheny Link assists Allegheny County residents: who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in finding stable housing, who are pregnant, or parents and caregivers of children up to age six years of age, get referrals to home visiting programs, who are over the age of 60 live safely in their community, and with any disability find services that meet their needs. Contact If you are in need of services, contact the Allegheny Link at 1.866.730.2368. This line will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Callers between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. will be directed to appropriate supports by an automated message. Individuals can also contact the Allegheny Link via email. This method is especially suggested for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Rental Payment Assistance The Department of Public Assistance has an Emergency Shelter Fund that provides financial assistance to help individuals prevent eviction or foreclosure, obtain permanent housing, or obtain temporary shelter. Individuals must be receiving public assistance benefits to qualify. For more information, contact 412.565.2146. Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh, Inc. Do you feel you have been the victim of housing discrimination? Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh investigates allegations of housing discrimination. If you have been a victim of housing discrimination, all of their services are free of charge. Report Discrimination To file an anonymous complaint, or to speak with a member of their staff, call 412.391.2535. Individuals can also report discrimination by completing this online form. Shelter Directory Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program has a Shelter Directory on its website that contains a filterable list of emergency shelters and housing providers. Shelters and providers included on the list accept homeless families and/or homeless youth. Some shelters and providers may admit single adults. Access the Directory. More Information Visit the Allegheny County website to learn more about housing subsidies, mortgage assistance, homelessness, discrimination support services, and more. If you are an individual experiencing homelessness, visit the Homeless Services page.
October 21, 2020 Allegheny County Family Resource Map Now Available Are you interested in accessing food, housing, parent, or employment services? Check out ELRC Region 5’s Allegheny County Family Resource Map to view resources available near you! About The Allegheny County Family Resource Map highlights the addresses, phone numbers, and websites of a variety of family supports, including: Aging Care and Education Employment Family Activities Food Health Housing New Parents Outdoors and Recreation Transportation Through the map, families can find countywide resources and services closest to them, such as senior community centers, family centers, early learning programs, public schools, WIC offices, parks, libraries, food pantries, diaper banks, clinics, public housing, Port Authority bus stops, and more. More Information For questions or to submit a map suggestion, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.
November 29, 2018 Tickets for Kids Book Club Tickets for Kids and the Sto-Rox Library announced the discussion dates for their new collaborative book club. The book chosen by their group is: “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this book was also the One Book One Community choice of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health. If you would like to attend, RSVP to Jennifer Gray by email (jgray@forstorox.org) or phone (412.771.1222). Parking is located in the parking lot on the side of the building, PNC parking lot after banking hours, or on the street. Discussion Dates Discussions will be held at the Sto-Rox Library on the following dates: December 10, 2018: 4-5:30 PM February 11, 2019: 6-7:30 PM April 8, 2019: 6-7:30 PM June 10, 2019: 6-7:30 PM About the Book “Evicted” by Matthew Desmond describes the plight of poor families who, for want of a few dollars, are forced to move from their homes, apartments, or trailers. An ethnographer, Desmond shares the intimate vicissitudes of his subject/friends as they struggle to make ends meet while negotiating a bewildering system of slumlords, public agencies, law enforcement, and courts, a system that seems almost designed to reinforce a downward spiral of poverty. The consequences of eviction are especially felt by mothers with young children, whose development is jeopardized by substandard housing, low-quality neighborhoods, and poor nutrition. *Information provided by Tickets for Kids Charities and Pitt Public Health*
