Action Housing is a Pittsburgh organization whose primary mission to provide decent, safe and affordable housing. Action Housing provides assistance to low income, disabled, or elderly people who need help in making certain types of improvements in their homes (whether they rent or own).
Action Housing’s mission statement is simple: “To empower people to build more secure and self-sufficient lives through the provision of decent, affordable housing, essential supportive services, asset building programs, and educational and employment opportunities.”
Some of their programs will be of particular interest to Polish Hill residents:
The Allegheny County Accessibility Program provides adaptive modifications to allow disabled or elderly individuals to remain in their homes. These modifications include things such as ramps, lifts, doorway widening, and kitchen and bathroom modifications. For more information contact Frank Demes at 412.281.2102, ext. 2027.
The Homeowner’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) exists to cease foreclosure actions by assisting clients in applying to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) for emergency financial assistance. Call 412.281.2102 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
The Weatherization Program is geared primarily to provide the necessary repairs to an eligible unit to reduce the amount of air infiltration out of and into the home. This includes work such as replacing cracked or broken glass in windows, caulking or weather stripping around windows, insulation for water heaters or exposed pipes, and safety checks on heating plant and hot water tanks. You can call 412.227.5700, ext. 2102 for more information or to receive an information packet.
You can also check here for a page with more information on these programs. The PHCA office also has Action Housing brochures and information cards.
Action Housing also offers the Family Savings Account Program (FSA), an anti-poverty strategy that helps low-income people move toward greater self-sufficiency by accumulating savings and purchasing long-term assets. For more information call Amanda Burkhart at 412/281-2102, ext. 2022.
Action Housing is slated to receive a portion of the 13.5 million in stimulus money that was slated for homeless prevention in our region. Here is more information on the organizations that will receive this money.
