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housing resources

What is Area Median Income?

Income eligibility for URA and Housing Opportunity Fund programs is based on the Area Median Income (AMI), which is determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

HUD creates regions for calculating AMI. The income limits for Pittsburgh are based on incomes in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area - Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties.

2025 Area Median Income Summary

 

City of Pittsburgh Resources

Housing Assistance Resources Portal (HARP)

The HARP is a guide for City of Pittsburgh residents that offers housing-related resources whether you are interested in renting, currently renting, interested in buying a house, a current homeowner, a landlord, or currently experiencing homelessness. This tool is meant to be representative and inclusive of all City of Pittsburgh residents, in every neighborhood, from every income level and every community.

Vist HARP

 

Affordable Housing Task Force

The City of Pittsburgh's Affordable Housing Task Force was created to identify proactive strategies to ensure that Pittsburgh is a livable city for all.

Learn more

 

Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh 

First Front Door (FFD)

  • First Front Door provides funds to help with down payment or closing costs for first time homebuyers. For every $1, FFD will provide $3, up to $5,000 maximum. Homebuyers must finance their first mortgage through a participating FFD provider in order to access FFD funds.

  • Eligible Incomes: Up to 80% Area Median Income

  • Visit www.fhlb-pgh.com/ffd for more information.

 

Pittsburgh Financial Empowerment Center (FEC)

In partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, Neighborhood Allies, and Advantage Credit Counseling, the FEC offers one-on-one professional financial counseling as a free public service in 10 locations throughout the City. Call the FEC at 1-800-298-0237.

 

Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

Low-Income Public Housing

  • The HACP provides rental housing in communities across the city for low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
  • Eligible incomes: Up to 80% AMI
  • Call the HACP Occupancy Department at 412-456-
    5030.


Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program

  • The HCV program provides housing assistance payments to private landlords on behalf of voucher holders, providing the difference between rent and the amount of monthly rent a family can afford to pay.
  • Eligible Incomes: up to 50% Area Median Income.
  • Those seeking more information on the HCV program, including the status of the waitlist, should contact the Occupancy Department at 412-456-5030.Those on the HCV waitlist can call 412-520-3848 to check their status.


Homeownership Program

  • The HACP provides Low Income Housing residents, HCV recipients, or families eligible to receive HACP rental assistance with the financial assistance needed to purchase a home within the Pittsburgh city limits.
  • The HACP will provide a closing cost assistance amount of up to $8,000 and a soft second mortgage amount of up to $52,000.
  • Those interested in HACP Homeownership can call 412-456-5062.

 

Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations (PCHR)

If you believe that you have been discriminated against by an employer, housing provider, public company, or service within the City of Pittsburgh, contact PCHR at 412-255-2600 or human.relations@pittsburghpa.gov.

 

Allegheny County Resources

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)

  • HEMAP is designed for those who, through no fault of their own, are unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of foreclosure. Depending on income and financial situation, homeowners may be eligible for: continuing mortgage assistance loans or non–continuing mortgage assistance loans.
  • All HEMAP loans are limited to a maximum of 24/36 months from the date of the mortgage delinquency, or to a maximum of $60,000.00, whichever comes first.
  • Contact ACTION-Housing, Garfield Jubilee Associates, Urban League Of Pittsburgh, or other PHFA approved agencies within 33 days of receiving an Act 91 Notice.


Home Purchase Loans

  • The HFA Preferred Risk Sharing™ (No MI) loan does not require mortgage insurance. With HFA Preferred™ (Lo MI), mortgage insurance is provided by several private companies.
  • Eligible Incomes: up to $95,620
  • PHFA also offers funding for Home Improvements/Repairs, Refinancing, and other Home Purchase Assistance products. See www.phfa.org/.
  • Contact the PHFA Customer Solutions Center for housing related questions, at 855-U-Are-Home (827-3466) or askphfa@phfa.org.

 

Allegheny Link

For those who are homeless or near homeless the Allegheny Link is the access point for Coordinated Entry into the Allegheny County Homeless Continuum of Care. This includes access to emergency shelters, housing search & homeless resource assistance, and eviction prevention. Allegheny Link is a one-stop resource that provides information referrals/assistance, eligibility screening for public and privately funded services and supports, and assistance with completing applications for these services on an as needed basis.

Those in a housing crisis or homeless can call the Allegheny Link at 1-866-730-2368 or walk-in to the office at 1 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

 

Government Assisted Housing Options (HUD) for Aging Seniors

For financially stressed seniors (or families) in need of low cost housing and assistance with partial rent payments directly to landlords. The programs include Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher Program, and Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly.  Please visit Government Assisted Housing Options (HUD) for Aging Seniors (payingforseniorcare.com) for more information and eligibility requirements.

 

Allegheny Lead-Safe Homes Program

This program will test for lead paint and hire & pay a certified lead abatement contractor to repair all lead paint hazards found in a home.

  • Renters, homeowners, and landlords are eligible.
  • Eligible incomes: up to 80% Area Median Income
  • Contact ACTION-Housing at 412-227-5700.

 

Dollar Energy Fund

If you need assistance with your utility bill, call Dollar Energy Fund at 1-888-282-6816. You can check your eligibility for assistance using the Hardship Program Eligibility Tool online.

 

PGH2O Customer Assistance Programs

The PGH2O Assistance Programs are designed for financial relief for income-qualifed residential consumers having dfficulty paying their PWSA bill. For the bill discount program, flexible payment arrangements, water line repair, protection from service termination, lead service line replacement, clean water grants, or water/wastewater conveyance service please call the PGH2O Cares team at 412-255-2457 or email cares@pgh2o.com. You can check your eligibility for assistance using the Income Calculator and 2024 Annual Income Guidelines at Customer Assistance Programs | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority.

 

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The LIHEAP helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants. The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range from $300 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type. For more information, contact the Allegheny County Assistance Office at 412-565-2146.

 

Help for Making Your Home More Energy Efficient

Making your home more energy efficient is good for your heating and cooling budget, the environment and your home's value.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

Federal tax credits are now available to help you make energy efficient upgrades to your home. To learn more, visit Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency.

 

ACTION-Housing (Insulation and Weatherization)

ACTION-Housing, Inc. provides a free Weatherization Program to help you make necessary repairs to an eligible unit to reduce the amount of air infiltration "out of" and "into" your home. To learn more, visit ACTION-housing.

 

 

Experiencing Homelessness or at Risk of Experiencing Homelessness?

DHS guide to help people understand where to turn for shelter, finding affordable housing, rental assistance, and eviction help across the County.

Housing Decision Trees

Emergency Housing Guide

 

Other Service Providers

Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh

Nazareth Housing Services

Habitat for Humanity


Dollar Bank Homeownership/Credit Enhancement 

  • Call 412-261-7564, 412-261-4940, or 412-261-8190


Neighborhood Legal Services

Urban League of Pittsburgh

  • Call at 412-227-4804


Garfield Jubilee Association, Inc. Homebuyer Education

  • Call 412-665-5200

Neighborhood Allies

NeighborWorks

ACTION-Housing

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