RentHelpPGH

Supporting Allegheny County Residents Experiencing Housing Instability

Our Mission

To build a just and stable housing ecosystem for Allegheny County tenants by ensuring residents can easily access high quality eviction prevention and supportive services, rental assistance programs, and resource navigation supports.

Our Impact

More than 8,500 tenant households (more than 23,800 people!) served between July 2020 and December 2024.
More than $13,000,000 in rental arrears paid between February 2023 and December 2024.
Fewer than 15% of our clients need our services again within 3 years.

Using Heart and Data to Keep People Housed

Eviction is a social problem that impacts millions of residents nationwide every year, destabilizing families, altering the social fabric of communities, and disproportionately impacting low-income, non-white households. In Allegheny County alone, landlords file on average 13,800 eviction lawsuits per year, jeopardizing housing for families who are also facing an affordable housing shortage.

At RentHelpPGH, we believe no one should face eviction alone—or in the dark. In a system where even basic eviction data is scarce, we exist to shine a light on who is being evicted, why, and what it takes to keep people safely housed. Through compassionate, client-centered support, we connect people with the resources they need while gathering data to advocate for more responsive, equitable housing systems in Allegheny County.

Our work is grounded in lived experience, real collaboration, and a deep commitment to the dignity of our neighbors. Many of us have experienced housing instability ourselves, and that informs everything we do—from how we support our neighbors to how we care for our team. Whether we're cold-calling families before court, showing up in courtrooms or in landlord-tenant mediations, meeting people at the Housing Stabilization Center, or advising funders on system change, we’re working to make sure everyone—not just the well-connected—has a fair shot at staying in their home.

We Support Tenants Every Step of the Way

Landlord-Tenant Mediation - Before an eviction filing, landlord-tenant mediation gives both parties the opportunity to avoid court. RentHelpPGH partners with Just Mediation Pittsburgh and Neighborhood Legal Services to offer this critical service. Just Mediation Pittsburgh coordinates and facilitates the sessions while RentHelpPGH works with landlords and tenants to connect them with stabilization services. Neighborhood Legal Services provides legal advice and reviews agreements to ensure tenants fully understand their rights.

Eviction Outreach - No one should face eviction alone. RentHelpPGH contacts every household in Allegheny County that we can find contact information for (~80% on average) with an eviction filing, offering support 5–7 days before their hearing. We connect tenants with trusted legal aid providers (Neighborhood Legal Services) and guide them to the Housing Stabilization Center for help.

Lawyer of the Day (LOTD) - LOTD is Pittsburgh and Allegheny County's model for Right to Counsel (Plus!). In select magisterial district courts, RentHelpPGH reaches out to tenants with texts, calls, and emails 7–10 days before their hearing. If we can’t connect in advance, we meet them in court. We assess each case, connect tenants with attorneys from Neighborhood Legal Services and Ebony Law, and help them access rental assistance. The result? LOTD courts see positive outcomes in over 60% of cases—four times the historic average.

Housing Stabilization Center - Opened in winter 2021 in partnership with ACTION-Housing, the Housing Stabilization Center provides in-person support for individuals, especially those facing technology barriers. RentHelpPGH offers comprehensive support to households filing an appeal, assists with rental assistance applications, and provides resource navigation to help people stay housed and connected to the services they need.