Pittsburgh-Develop PGH Bulletins: Struggling Tenants Can Now Get On List For Joint Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Rent Relief

Pittsburgh PA

03 February, 2021

11:50 AM

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By Rich Lord, Public Source 2021-02-02 Develop PGH Bulletins updates you on the Pittsburgh region's economy, including close coverage of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, City Planning Commission and other important agencies. Please check back frequently, sign up for the Develop PGH newsletter and email [email protected] with questions, tips or story ideas. As eviction filings continue to mount, two big local governments are pooling federal funds in a joint program to help struggling renters. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald jointly announced a plan to muster nearly $36 million to help with rent and utility payments. While the Emergency Rental Assistance Program isn't yet ready to make payments, the county is inviting tenants in need of help to express their interest here. The funding comes from Pennsylvania's share of a federal rent relief allocation approved late last year. The county has $27 million, the city $8.9 million. Peduto's administration today introduced legislation to Pittsburgh City Council, permitting the city's use of its share in the joint effort, and noting that 10% of the money can be used for administrative costs, housing stability services, case management, and other services, with 90% reserved for direct assistance for tenants. The city and county plan to partner with ACTION-Housing and the Dollar Energy Fund. "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," Peduto said in a press release. The plan comes on the heels of 2020 rent relief efforts which ended up helping roughly half of Allegheny County applicants, and just 1/3 statewide. "In 2020, we were able to help many in our community, but also know that despite our efforts, massive need still exists," said Fitzgerald, in the press release. The release noted that "learned lessons from the first program will lead to a smoother, more expedient process for applicants." The release notes that 65% of the federal rent relief allocations must be spent by the end of September, and that the Peduto administration is asking for a quick council vote. Federal rules governing rent relief aren't yet finalized, and the state General Assembly is considering legislation that could also affect the program. While a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order restricts evictions, and a local court order puts hearings on hold, landlords filed 366 new eviction cases last month. PublicSource and WESA this week launched Tenant Cities, a joint exploration of the COVID-afflicted rental housing market at a time when it shelters a growing portion of the city and county populations. Last month, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh [HACP] pledged to be more aggressive and innovative in its efforts to spur affordable housing. At its first meeting of 2021, HACP's board provided an early example by increasing its investment in the pending conversion of the former Congregation B'Nai Israel synagogue, in Garfield, into housing. The stately synagogue, on North Negley Avenue, was most recently an Urban League of Pittsburgh charter school, and is to be converted by a team of developers reportedly including Downtown-based Ralph A. Falbo Inc. and Boston-based Beacon Development. Earlier reports show plans for 45 rental units, and the HACP board resolution indicates that 38 are to be affordable for lower-income households. The HACP board added to an earlier agreement to invest in the development, bringing its total to $1,095,000, up from $870,000. The new total will support construction of 13 apartments that will be reserved for households earning less than half of the area's median income. HACP Chief Development Officer Monique Pierre said investing in private development allows the authority to create more affordable housing "for a cost of $84,000 per unit, which is a fraction of what typically is invested in affordable housing these days." The authority has, in recent years, spent as much as $400,000 per new affordable apartment. There was no discussion of the construction timetable at the board's meeting, conducted virtually. The board approved the investment unanimously. News from the City Planning Commission, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and more In limbo no more: New construction to begin on remaining lots of Garden Theater block The pandemic cost public transit dearly. Will Pittsburgh-area riders return in 2021? 21, 20, 19 … As Pittsburgh counts down to a new year amid the COVID-19 economy, 2020's development questions await 2021's answers. Tenant Cities: Rent relief didn't get to those who needed it. Will Pennsylvania get it right the second time? Tenant Cities: Going it alone in Allegheny County House hunters: How an anti-blight law has become a tool for ambitious landlords in Allegheny County All on board? Powerful Pittsburgh-area panels are more diverse, but progress is uneven December development coverage Rich Lord is PublicSource's economic development reporter. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @richelord. Develop PGH has been made possible with funding from The Heinz Endowments. This article was produced by PublicSource.org, a nonprofit news organization serving the Pittsburgh region. PublicSource tells stories for a better Pittsburgh. Sign up for their free email newsletters at publicsource.org/newsletters.