Allegheny County Rental Assistance Available March 15, 2021

Allegheny County residents will be able to apply for rental and utility assistance from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program on Monday, March 15, 2021. The county-wide program has received $80 million in federal funding.

How to apply

Renters will only be able to apply online. Click here to access the form. For tenants without internet access, the county has opened seven drop-in centers. They are located at:

• Focus on Renewal: 420 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Rocks 15136
• Gwen’s Girls: 711 West Commons, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh 15212
• Kingsley Association: 6435 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh 15206
• Wilkinsburg Family Support: 807 Wallace Avenue, Pittsburgh 15221
• Greater Valley Community Services: 300 Holland Avenue, Braddock 15104
• South Hills Interfaith Movement – Bethel Park: 5301 Park Avenue, Bethel Park 15102
• The Wander Building: 337 Fifth Avenue, McKeesport 15132

Who is eligible?

Households with:

• At least one person who qualifies for unemployment, lost income, or suffered financially due to COVID-19.
• At least one person who is at risk of experiencing homelessness.
• A total household income below 80% of the Area Median Income for Allegheny County.

Necessary documents

Tenants will need to gather documents to show income and residency. This includes:

• Unemployment determination letters
• Lease agreements
• Utility bills
• W2 forms, paystubs or award letters
• Social security numbers for everyone in your household

New Pittsburgh eviction moratorium

Along with the new county-wide rental and utility assistance, Pittsburgh has passed a city-wide eviction moratorium. This legislation addresses loopholes that exist under the federal moratorium.

The Pittsburgh eviction moratorium shifts the proof from the tenant to the landlord. Tenants cannot be evicted unless the landlord requests an exemption upon proof that the tenant is threatening the health or safety of other residents, has acted criminally, or damaged the property. Additionally, no landlord can refuse to renew a lease or terminate a lease due to previous tenant non-payment or lease term violation. Landlords who violate this chapter are subjected to a summary offense “which may lead to a fine of $10,000”. The eviction moratorium will last as long as the city’s emergency declaration does. You can read the full legislation here. 

The amended legislation was unanimously supported, in a 9-0 in favor vote, after a showing of immense public support, especially from tenant organizers and housing advocates volunteering with the Pittsburgh Union of Regional Renters (PURR).The Landlord Watchlist Project PA thanks those who have been fighting for this eviction moratorium, those who shared testimony, and Councilwoman Deb Gross who proposed progressive legislation in the face of constituents and peers who were not as eager to support housing for all policy. We will keep you updated on the status and details of the local moratoria now enacted in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.