Millions of dollars earmarked to help renters in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

Help is in the works for the thousands of households in Allegheny County that can’t afford to pay rent because of the covid-19 pandemic.

“People continue to struggle,” Action Housing general counsel Kyle Webster said Tuesday, when Pittsburgh City Council took the first step toward establishing a program to help.

City and Allegheny County officials will be partnering with Action Housing and Dollar Energy to help those who are behind on their rent. Legislation to move the program forward was introduced to council Tuesday.

“People all around the Pittsburgh region continue to be hurt by covid-19 in ways that go far beyond the health catastrophe of the pandemic, as they are stuck at home contending with employment uncertainty, educational worries and emotional distress,” Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said in a statement. “But if that home itself is in danger, people could lose all hope.”

The county partnered with Action last year to help 3,600 households with $14 million in rent relief aid made available by federal officials.

New federal appropriations of $27 million for the county and $8.9 million for the city will be able to help more people soon, officials said in a joint news release.

“In 2020, we were able to help many in our community, but also know that despite our efforts, massive need still exists,” County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said in a statement. “This partnership with the City of Pittsburgh and Action will allow us to meet this challenge with a larger pool of funds to help those in need.”

Council is expected to authorize the program next week.

“This is a really, really needed program,” Webster said.

The money can be used for rent, past-due rent, utilities and past-due utilities, along with other housing expenses that are the result of the pandemic.

Federal guidelines allow the assistance to last for 15 months, if necessary, to ensure housing stability.

Officials are asking those who need help to check the county’s website after March 1, when the program is expected to be in place.