Pittsburgh Housing Summit 2018

We, the People of the Housing Justice Collaborative of the Pittsburgh region believe that housing is a human right. Having witnessed Pittsburgh being described as one of America’s most livable cities, we must ask the question “Most livable for who?” As the city of Pittsburgh develops and expands new and existing areas, we have to challenge what this means for the most marginalized among us.


We invite you to support the second Pittsburgh Housing Summit. The Housing Justice Collaborative is seeking support to raise funds towards the 2018 Housing summit to better educate, serve and assist the residents of the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding region so that they may know their rights and stand a better chance of securing affordable housing and advancing the conversation to build healthy and thriving communities that are equitable for all. Funds raised would help us provide food, transportation, guest speakers, facilities and more for the Summit.

The goals of this Summit are to:
1. Raise awareness and education around the housing crisis in Pittsburgh.
2. Mobilize tenants in taking action against a negligent housing authorities and policymakers.
3. Engage residents to join the Pittsburgh Regional Tenants Union to be active in creating solutions for the people most impacted.

Based on the work of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, we know that in PA, over one third of publicly supported rental homes across the state receive Section 8 contracts.

More than one-in-twenty publicly supported rental homes face an expiring affordability restriction in the next five years and 9,683 public housing units are in need of immediate investment.

Over three quarters of publicly supported rental homes with expiring affordability restrictions in the next five years are assisted by Section 8 contracts.

Currently, there are many more people in need of income-restricted apartments than there are income restricted apartments to go around, and the city continues to built new developments without any assurance that tenants in need of affordable housing will be supported. 

Funds collected in this campaign will be used exclusively for the 2018 Housing summit and any residual funds will be used towards the work of the Tenant March in April 2019.

This call to action is for the people most affected by the lack of adequate and affordable housing, for the people facing evictions and spontaneously condemned buildings so that properties can be torn down and resold in minority communities. This effort is for the people facing gentrification and the inability to secure safe places for their families. Join us in supporting, mobilizing and igniting the ability of the people to change their circumstances. 

We hope to provide education and resources for the following populations and beyond:

Veterans
Members of the LGBTQ Community
Students
Beneficiaries of low income housing
Artists

As a result of this summit, we hope people will be more educated, activated, and secure in the knowledge that while they may be landless, they are not powerless.

The event is free, but participants should register at: https://goo.gl/forms/KCd8MIsuQhTzU9793

Thank you in advance for your support and please direct any inquiries to [email redacted].