Know Your Rights as a Renter in Pennsylvania
Familiarize yourself with this manual that outlines a renter’s rights in Pennsylvania as per the Pennsylvania Landlord Tenant act of 1951 and federal and state fair housing laws. Note that this does not constitute legal advice.
(hyperlink https://www.equalhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11.18-digital-copy-of-Know-Your-Rights-as-a-Renter-in-PA-3.pdf) by The Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania
Allegheny County Health Department
Report needed unit repairs including mold, heating concerns, structural issues etc.
https://www.alleghenycounty.us/healthdepartment/index.aspx
Phone: 412-247-7800
Housing Court Help Desk
Provides guidance about your landlord tenant case such as information about the procedural steps of the eviction process and filling out the appropriate paperwork. Not legal advice.
Phone: 412-350-4462
Address: City-County Building, Department of Court Records, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
HUD Multi Family Housing Complaint Line
Report a complaint regarding a HUD-insured and HUD-assisted property, including poor maintenance, dangers to health and safety, mismanagement, and fraud.
Phone: 1-800-685-8470
Mon Valley Initiative
Provides listings for available affordable housing.
Provides pre-purchase housing counseling and other resources for homeowners.
Phone: 412-464-4000 (Pittsburgh & Allegheny County)
Phone: 724-565-8040 (Outside Allegheny County)
Website: Monvalleyinitiative.com
PA Housing Search
Provides listings for affordable housing in Pennsylvania.
Phone: 877-428-8844
Website: https://www.pahousingsearch.com/
United Way 211
Provides a free, confidential helpline for referral to area housing resources based on your need.
Phone: 211or 1-888-553-5778
Website: https://uwswpa.org/
Allegheny Link
Helps find stable housing if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In order to be admitted into a shelter or transitional housing in Allegheny County you must call this number.
Helps find disability related services.
Help with remaining in your housing if you are 60 and over.
Provides referrals to home-visiting programs for those who are pregnant or parents and caregivers of children to six years of age.
Phone: 866-730-2368
E-mail: (hyperlink https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Human-Services/About/Contact/Contact-Form/Allegheny-Link.aspx)
Northside Common Ministries Pleasant Valley
Provides emergency housing for homeless men as well as a permanent housing program for men with disabilities.
Operates a community food pantry
Phone: 412-323-1163
Website: http://www.ncmin.org/
SeniorLine, Area Agency on Aging
Provides hotline assistance for seniors and their support systems including health insurance counseling, protection from abuse and neglect, home services, care-giver support, and other services.
Phone: 1-800-344-4319
Phone: 412-350-5460
By E-mail (hyperlink https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Human-Services/About/Contact/Contact-Form/SeniorLine.aspx)
Winter Shelter, Pittsburgh Mercy
Provides emergency shelter for men and women experiencing homelessness (open from November 15, 2019 – March 15, 2020)
Phone: 412-689-6565
Address: 620 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Immigrant Services and Connections (ISAC)
Provides support and resources for the Pittsburgh refugee and immigrant community in the areas of housing, food access, healthcare, immigration papers, applying for benefits, and other services.
https://isacpittsburgh.org/
Jewish Family and Child Services Immigration Legal Services
Provides legal assistance for individuals in need of advice related to legal immigration matters.
Phone: 412-904-5966
Website: https://www.jfcspgh.org/
Casa San Jose
Provides social services and advocacy for the Pittsburgh Latino population.
Phone: 412-343-3111
Address: 2116 Broadway Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216
Center for Victims
Provides assistance with Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders.
Provides emergency housing for those fleeing domestic violence.
Phone: 1-866-644-2882
Website: https://www.centerforvictims.org/
Bethlehem Haven
Provides emergency housing for homeless women as well as permanent housing and supportive services to women with a diagnosed serious mental illness.
Phone: 412-271-5787
Website: https://bethlehemhaven.org/
Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
Provides a 24-hour hotline for those experiencing physical, emotional, or psychological abuse from a spouse or partner.
Provides emergency shelter for women fleeing domestic violence.
https://www.wcspittsburgh.org/
412-678-8005
Womanspace East Inc
Provides emergency shelter for women and their dependent children.
Phone: 412-765-2661
Website: https://www.wseinc.org/
Sisters Pgh
Transgender centered drop-in space that provides emergency housing/shelter for the transgender community as well as outreach and accurate transgender education.
Website: https://www.sisterspgh.org/
Provides free legal assistance with landlord-tenant civil complaints.
Phone: 412-255-6700
Website: https://nlsa.us/
Allegheny County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Provides referrals to qualified lawyers in Allegheny County.
Phone: 412-765-2661
Website: https://www.acba.org/
Christian Legal Aid
Provides free legal services and walk-in workshops.
Phone: 412-622-0232
Website: https://clapittsburgh.org/
Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
Provides legal assistance and advocacy for individuals with disabilities.
Phone: 412-391-7443
Website: www.drnpa.org
Edgar Snyder Law Firm
Provides legal assistance with personal injury claims.
Phone: 412-391-2101
Website: www.edgarsnyder.com
Landlord Tenant Project
Provides legal assistance through volunteer attorneys who represent individuals seeking to appeal a judgment of possession at arbitration.
Phone: 412-402-6660
Women’s Law Project
Public interest legal center devoted to protecting and expanding the rights of women, girls, and the LGTBQ community.
Phone: 412-227-0301
Email: www.womanslawproject.org
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
Provides rental assistance with security deposits and delinquent rent for eligible households.
Phone: 412-227-4802
Website: http://ulpgh.org/
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Report complaints and issues with utility companies.
Phone: 1-800-692-7380
Website: Puc.state.pa.us
Community Kitchen, East End Cooperative Ministry
Provides hot lunches every Monday – Friday from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM.
Phone: 412-345-7149
Website: http://www.eecm.org/
Catholic Charities
Provides case-management for individuals in crisis.
Phone: 412-456-6999
Website: https://www.ccpgh.org/
Community Human Services
Help for individuals and families in housing crisis to obtain and remain in housing.
Phone: 412-246-1640
Website:https://chscorp.org/
Habitat For Humanity
Offers affordable home repair programs.
Phone: 412-351-0512
Website; https://www.habitatpittsburgh.org/
Resolve Crisis Network Hotline
Provides a hotline for 24-hour crisis service. Provides crisis counseling and support, referrals and intervention services for adults, teens, and their support systems.
Phone: 1-888-796-8226
Veteran’s Leadership Program
Provides veterans with support in the areas of housing, employment, and wellness.
Phone: 412-481-8200
Website: https://www.veteransleadershipprogram.org/
311 Response Center
Provides a non-emergency hotline for Pittsburgh residents to call with questions and complaints.
Phone: 311
Phone outside of Pittsburgh, PA: 412-255-2621
Off the Floor Pittsburgh
Furniture needs
http://offthefloorpgh.org/
412-926-5053
Rebuilding Together
Home repair services
https://www.rtpittsburgh.org/
412-247-2700