Programs - Housing
Housing Counseling Services
Housing Counseling Services (HCS) is a HUD certified comprehensive housing counseling program offering Allegheny County families and individuals solutions to their housing problems. Counselors review housing situations and provide education and information concerning home maintenance, financial management, and budgeting. Counselors also provide referrals to a network of area service providers. HCS provides options for homeless families and individuals ranging from area shelters and transitional housing, to various forms of subsidized and rental housing. For families facing eviction, counselors advocate with landlords for the retention of the housing while helping families devise a payment plan. HCS offers various services to delinquent homeowners ranging from constructing a budget plan and encouraging financial stability to completing and submitting a HEMAP application to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. City of Pittsburgh residents should call Pittsburgh Housing counseling Services at 412-227-4804. Residents outside the City of Pittsburgh should call Allegheny Housing Counseling Services at 412-227-4812.
Housing Assistance Program (HAP)
The Housing Assistance Program provides a one-time rental grant to landlords on behalf of eligible men, women and children of Allegheny County who are in a homeless or near homeless (Magistrate Notice) situation. The grant aids in establishing and maintaining permanent affordable housing. Clients must be part of the Housing Counseling Services (listed above) to be eligible for the program. For more information call 412-227-4201 or 412-227-4203.
Hunger Services
Hunger Services is one of the newest additions to the Urban League of Pittsburgh. Two major programs are offered through this service:
- Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFA) - Individuals and families can call the EFA hotline and are then referred to one of over 300 pantries in the network. In emergency cases, food is provided from an onsite pantry along with food vouchers. During Thanksgiving, special bags are distributed with $10.00 vouchers to assist families in providing a bountiful holiday meal. Individuals or families in need should call the hotline at 412-681-1121.
- Food Stamp Outreach and Enrollment Program (FSOE) - Throughout Allegheny, Westmoreland, Butler, and Washington Counties along with parts of Beaver and Lawrence Counties, food stamp screening is completed through the online service called COMPASS. From 1996 to 2001, FSOE has added more than $1.2 million dollars to low income individuals and families for food purchases. Individuals or families in need should call the hotline at 1-866-3663.
Operation Home
Operation Home is a comprehensive pre- and post-homebuyer education program consisting of four (4) Saturday workshops. The course is designed to enable clients/customers to make a successful transition from a renter to a home purchaser. The program places an emphasis on financial literacy, budgeting and credit restoration. Operation Home also provides participants with information on specific programs that are available for first time home purchasers. Operation Home has developed partnerships with PHFA, local lending institutions, social service agencies, and local real estate organizations to help attain its goal of creating new home ownership opportunities throughout Western Pennsylvania. Contact Operation Home by calling 412-227-4192 or 412-227-4112.
Housing Counseling /Location Services to Clients of Allegheny County Children, Youth & Families Services (CYF)
The family preservation and reunification program provides comprehensive housing counseling and location services to families referred by Allegheny County CYF. Services include locating suitable housing, ongoing in-depth counseling services and grant assistance. On site counseling services along with rental assistance applications are available to residents of Bethlehem Haven Shelter and to clients at Fifth Avenue Commons. For more information please call 412-227-4870.
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