Tenant Resources

PA United Way 211: General Resource for Rent, Utilities, and/or Food. Call 211 for access to the Housing Opportunity Fund Housing Stabilization Program

DHS Emergency Assistance Program offers one-time cash assistance to families who meet the following criteria: have a child under 18 or someone who is pregnant, were actively employed on March 11, 2020 and experienced at least a 50% loss in income/hours due to COVID-19, household income is below 150% of the federal poverty level. and have less than $1,000 in savings. Program ends no later than June 12th so apply now!

Unemployment Compensation for Pennsylvania- UC Service Center Statewide Toll-Free Number 888-313-7284 or email uchelp@pa.gov.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) In general, PUA provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits, including those who have exhausted all rights to such benefits. Individuals covered under PUA include the self-employed (e.g. independent contractors, gig economy workers, and workers for certain religious entities), those seeking part-time employment, individuals lacking sufficient work history, and those who otherwise do not qualify for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits. Retroactive to 1/27/20 for qualified individuals.

Pittsburgh Mutual Aid Resource List

Pittsburgh Presbyterian Lazarus (412-323-1400) can offer at most $250 in one time assistance to help with rental assistance

Allegheny Link: housing assistance for Allegheny County for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness

The Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loan Program provides interest-free loans on a nonsectarian basis for up to $5,000 to residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland, Washington, and Armstrong counties who are facing financial challenges caused by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak. Repayment begins 60 days after loan is received and a co-signer is required.

ASSISTANCE & SERVICES:

Urban Redevelopment Authority COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Fund for renters at or below 50% Area Median Income who have lost income due to COVID-19; assistance not to exceed $3,000

Comcast is adjusting its Internet Essentials Program to meet the needs of low-income residents while dealing with the crisis to provide 60 days of free internet

Pittsburgh Presbyterian Lazarus (412-323-1400) can offer at most $250 in one time assistance to help with utility assistance

Lifeline Phone & Broadband Assistance is waiving recertification or re-verification requirements through May 15, 2020

SHUT-OFF MORATORIUMS & LEGAL RESOURCES:

The PUC has barred all regulated utilities from terminating service through April 30

Duquesne Light is waiving late fees and discontinuing shut-offs through June 1st, 2020

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) extended its water shut-off moratorium through July 1st, 2020. Bills will still accrue during that time period and past due balances after the moratorium is lifted may result in service termination

FirstEnergy - Temporarily suspend shutoffs and offer payment options to help ease hardships

Pennsylvania American Water - Placed a moratorium and discontinued service shutoffs to keep customers safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Low-income customers may also qualify for grants or discounts through the H20 Help to Others program.

Columbia Gas customers: no termination or late payments until further notice, plus flexible payment plans and no late charges

If your utilities were shut off and the provider is refusing to reconnect services, contact the Public Utilities Commission to file a complaint by clicking here or calling 1-800-692-7380

For legal questions about utilities, contact the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project via their hotline: 1-844-645-2500

The PA Supreme Court has put all evictions on hold until at least April 30th. You still owe rent (and should pay if able to) but cannot be evicted until at least April 30th.

Allegheny County Courts have extended the emergency order moratorium on evictions until May 8th, 2020

Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) has suspended all rent-related evictions

The Federal CARES Act has put all rent-related evictions on hold for Federally Assisted Housing until July 25. This includes public housing, HUD-subsidized housing, LIHTC, housing choice voucher, and housing with a federally-backed mortgage. Check here for more information and here for a searchable spreadsheet of federally-backed mortgages.

Know Your Rights & Resources (PDF)- released by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. The rights and resources guide details benefits available to Pennsylvanians during the COVID-19 emergency.