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WHEREAS, a safe place to live is one of the most basic of all human needs, yet many Pennsylvanians and Pittsburghers struggle to afford a place to live; and,
WHEREAS, the average median rental rate for a two-bedroom apartment in Allegheny County in 2011 would require a wage of $13.23 per hour, while minimum wage in the State of Pennsylvania remains only $7.25 per hour; and,
WHEREAS, in 2010, Allegheny County had a shortage of 21,545 rental units that are affordable and available to the lowest income renters; and,
WHEREAS, on any given night, 1,420 people in Allegheny County did not have a home; staying in an emergency or transitional shelter or on the streets; and,
WHEREAS, the shortage of affordable and available home contributes to the existing homeless population and can cause that population to grow; and,
WHEREAS, existing policies and programs are in place and proven to address these needs and save the City and State money and resources while helping the vulnerable; such as the Human Services Development Fund, the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, Community Development Block Grants and Community Service Block Grants; and,
WHEREAS, many of these proven programs have suffered reduced funding at both the State and Federal level and are at risk of further reductions in the future, limiting their ability to address the needs of the residents of the City of Pittsburgh.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh joins with individuals and organizations, including service providers , advocates, and both non-profit and for-profit organizations, to acknowledge the serious deficits in decent, affordable, and available housing in Pennsylvania; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh support the funding of policies and programs to increase the supply of safe, decent and affordable homes and decrease the frequency of homelessness in an effort to ensur...
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