Housing

This section is for emergency housing and landlord/maintenence referrals.

Click Here for financial assistance with existing rental payments, utilities, and down payments.

Click Here for legal assistance regarding eviction

Queer Emergency Housing

QMNTY Center

About: Emergency and short term housing for trans and non binary folx, 18-30 years old. Shelf stable goods, hygiene products, and clothing available to any TLGBQIA+ or allied person in need. Community drop-ins Mon-Fri from 12pm-6pm for under 21 and 6pm-10pm for adults with various supports.

Website: https://qmntycenter.org/

True T: Op

About: Trans-focused LGBTQIA+ emergency housing. Program creates a safe space for individuals to obtain stable housing while achieving personal and professional goals.

Website: https://www.truetpgh.com/option-u

phone: (412) 366-9801

email: info@truetpgh.com

Community Praise: From SWOP Resource Guide

Proud Haven

About: Helping housing-insecure LGBTQ+ youth and adults find housing and resources.

Website: www.proudhaven.org/

Address: 517 E. Ohio St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212

phone: (412) 953-4666

email: admin@proudhaven.org

Community Praise: From SWOON Resource Guide

sisTersPGH

About: Supports the trans and non-binary community through multiple programs including transitional housing assistance and food aid.

Address: 2014 Monongahela Ave, Pgh, PA 15218

phone: (412) 259-3091

email: info@sisterspgh.org

Community Praise: From SWOON Resource Guide

General Emergency Housing

Pleasant Valley

About: Men’s shelter - accommodates 25 people who are homeless every night of the year. Opens daily at 4:30pm, provides safe sleeping quarters, hot shower, and evening meal. Staff assist residents toward stability and independence.

Website: http://ncmin.org/pleasant-valley-mens-shelter/

Community Praise: I’ve heard of trans masc people having pretty good experiences staying here. Ed, the shelter manager, is great about making sure trans people feel safe and welcome.

Auberle’s Family Emergency Shelter

About: Can accommodate up to 20 individuals at one time, operates 24/7. Goal is to keep families safe, assist with permanent housing, and link to resources.

Website: https://www.auberle.org/

email: devong@auberle.org

Community Praise: Recommended as a good shelter for trans fems

Hearth

About: Suburban transitional housing program for homeless women with children and survivors of domestic abuse.

Website: www.hearth-bp.org

phone: (412) 366-9801

Community Praise: From SWOON Resource Guide

Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

About: Provides 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, childcare, legal advocacy, medical advocacy, and support groups.

Website: www.wcspittsburgh.org/

phone: (412) 687-8005 (24 hr hotline)

Community Praise: From SWOON Resource Guide

Landlords and Realestate Agents

PA Landlord Watchlist

About: Publishes a database of predatory landlords and property managers that have pushed tenants out of their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Connects PA tenants to legal, financial, and public health resources. Advocates for eviction moratorium, rent cancellation, and housing as a human right.

Website: https://landlordwatchpa.org/wall-of-shame/

email: landlordwatchlistpa@gmail.com

Community Praise: Great asset for some of the biggest slumlord/landlord offenders in the state, you can filter by county.

The Housing Connector

About: Run by Action Housing, The Housing Connector serves as a resource of information and assistance in navigating the housing system, which enables families with disabilities to make better connections to independent housing choices.

Contact Sarah Acosta for more info:

Phone: 412-281-2102 x 2038

Email: sacosta@actionhousing.org

Website: https://actionhousing.org/our-services/housing-connector/

Rene Polanco

About: Nonjudgemental real estate agent. Advocates for clients, regardless of background. Keeps it real and is clear about the home buying process.

Website: https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/5e33f5233564f9001383d2b8 or https://www.thepreferredrealty.com/real-estate-agent/2246493/Rene-Polanco/details/

phone: (412) 298-5674 mobile

email: Contact through Berkshire Hathaway website

Community Praise: Personal recommendation: very sweet, clear, and understanding. Would recommend Rene.

Real Property Management

About: Rental home manager. Normal people renting their houses out, RPM manages it.

Website: https://www.rpmpittsburgh.com/

Community Praise: Very responsive and willing to fix minor issues

Preferred Properties

About: Rental home manager. Never ran a credit or background check, just asked verbal confirmation that I could pay. Responsive landlord when things needed fixed.

phone: (412) 661-4448

Community Praise: “My landlord did not give a shit. He’s been pretty relaxed about getting payments on time too just as long as he gets paid. And I think our heat was turned on in Oct. I’m not going to say Bob is the best landlord, but he’s ok.”