2022 Human Services Program Spotlights RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT EVICTIONS DHS distributed the federal emergency relief funding for
temporary rental assistance to people economically affected by the COVID pandemic. Since its start in March 2021, the program provided more than $129 million to more than 20,000 households, including 15,658 in 2022, preventing evictions in communities across the county.
HOUSING MOBILITY FOR FAMILIES Allegheny County received $4.09 million from HUD as one of nine sites nationally to participate in the Community Choice Demonstration (CCD). The CCD will provide families with children in the Housing Choice Voucher program better access to low-poverty neighborhoods with high-performing schools and other strong community resources (“opportunity areas”). The CCD addresses barriers to housing choice by offering families mobility-related services, such as housing navigation and security deposit assistance. Additionally, the Allegheny County Housing Authority and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh adopted administrative policies that further enable housing mobility and increase landlord participation, including an updated approach to voucher payment standards. DHS is coordinating the five-year effort in partnership with the county and city housing authorities; the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh is providing mobility-related services. The CCD includes a rigorous, independent evaluation to determine what services are most effective at helping families move to opportunity areas. Pittsburgh-Allegheny County was the first of the nine sites to launch its local program in August 2022. LOW BARRIER SHELTER AND SERVICES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS In November, the Second Avenue Commons opened its doors to the community. The Commons opening represents the culmination of a multiyear community planning process that included a partnership of Allegheny County DHS, PNC Bank, Highmark, UPMC and Action Housing as well as the City of Pittsburgh, local foundations, and other community-based organizations. The 43,000 square foot Commons facility is located on Second Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh on land that was donated by the City of Pittsburgh. The $22 million project was made possible by contributions from the PNC Foundation, Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network, and UPMC, as well as grants from Henry L. Hillman Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation, the Keystone Communities program of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development and various other personal donations and countless hours of consultation and expertise from the broad stakeholder group. Allegheny County DHS will contribute approximately $2 million annually for ongoing operating support.
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