COVID-19 Resources for Our Northside Neighbors

Allegheny Center Alliance Church Offers Free Lunch Program

Allegheny Center Alliance Church (ACAC) is providing to-go meals Monday through Friday between the hours of 11:30 am and 1:30 pm for anyone 18 years old and under

Food will be available for drive-through / walk-up takeout in the ACAC parking lot that is between the Union Place Building and the Main Sanctuary. Parents may pick up food for their children so the kids can stay inside their homes and be safe. Allegheny Center Alliance Church is located at 250 East Ohio Street.


City to Expand Grab & Go Summer Meals for Children

With Pittsburgh Public Schools officially closing for the summer, and the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, the City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks and Recreation will be expanding its food distribution services for children.

On the Northside, Grab & Go Summer Meals for Children will be distributed Monday-Friday between 9:30 am and 1:30 pm at the Jefferson Recreation Center (605 Rednap Street). Both breakfast and lunch will be included. Summer Food locations will remain open through Monday, August 31. For more information, view the Mayor’s Press Release.


Pittsburgh Public Schools: Grab and Go Northside Locations

In partnership with local community organizations, Pittsburgh Public Schools have shifted the distribution of Grab and Go Meals to several regional sites across the city, including three locations on the Northside.  

Grab and Go Meals will be distributed from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm from Monday through Friday. Grab and Go Meals will be available at the following Northside locations: 

  • Pittsburgh Morrow Primary Building at 1611 Davis Avenue, 15212
  • Pittsburgh Perry High School at 3875 Perrysville Avenue, 15214
  • Pittsburgh Spring Hill at 1351 Damas Street, 15212

Get Free Help Virtually to Take Control of Your Finances

The Pittsburgh Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) recognizes that this is a difficult time for many members of the community, and that you – or someone you know – may be experiencing heightened financial distress or uncertainty. The FEC is ready and available to help you with your financial health. 

The Pittsburgh Financial Empowerment Center is offering one-on-one, VIRTUAL professional financial counseling as a free public service. Their counselors are ready to help you plan for the financial impact of this crisis. They will help you to identify and connect to available resources, budget in the face of income volatility, and work with lenders and credit card companies to figure out your best payment options.

If you are interested in scheduling a virtual session with one of FEC’s professionally-trained counselors, visit the Pittsburgh Financial Empowerment Center’s scheduling page. If you have any difficulties with the web page, or prefer to schedule your session by phone, call the FEC Intake Line at 1-800-298-0237.


HARP – The Housing Assistance Resource Portal

The City of Pittsburgh, in partnership with the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh offers HARP – the Housing Assistance Resource Portal – where users can search for housing-related resources. Users identify their needs through a series of questions, and are provided housing-related programs and services for which they are eligible. Users can identify themselves as interested in renting, currently renting, interested in buying a home, currently owning a home, renting their property as a landlord, or currently experiencing homelessness. The portal is designed to be inclusive for city residents in all neighborhoods, from all income levels, and in every community, in support of the city’s commitment to housing.

HARP also includes local resources from Allegheny County, Neighborhood Allies, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Housing Finance Agency. Find the help that you need at The Housing Assistance Resource Portal. Read more about the HARP program in the City of Pittsburgh’s Housing Assistance Resource Portal Press Release.


Emergency Pet Boarding Available at Humane Animal Rescue

Humane Animal Rescue is offering an alternate solution for pets in need during this pandemic. In the event an owner is ill and unable to care for their pet due to COVID-19, Humane Animal Rescue will provide emergency boarding for 14 days. Both dogs and cats will be accepted into this program. 

For more information, visit the Humane Animal Rescue Response to COVID-19 web page or call the Pet Helpline at 412-345-0348. Space is limited and is meant for pets with no other options.


URA Offers Short Term Financial Assistance to City Residents

The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh’s Board of Directors approved a program for households at, or below, 80% Area Median Income who have been affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Fund is designed to provide short-term assistance to workers who have experienced a reduction in hours and are facing a financial hardship to pay rent and utilities. 

Households in need of rental, mortgage, and/or utility assistance, specifically because their work hours were cut due to COVID-19, can call the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh at 412-227-4163 to be screened for assistance. Read more details about the COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Fund.


Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for Self-Employed

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created a new temporary federal program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

In general, PUA provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits, including those who have exhausted all rights to such benefits.

Individuals covered under PUA include the self-employed (e.g. independent contractors, gig economy workers, and workers for certain religious entities), those seeking part-time employment, individuals lacking sufficient work history, and those who otherwise do not qualify for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits. For more information, visit the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FAQs web page.


SBA Offers Relief for American Workers and Small Businesses

The nation’s small businesses are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the Coronavirus outbreak. In addition to traditional funding programs, the Small Business Administration has established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak.

  • Paycheck Protection Program
    This loan program provides loan forgiveness for retaining employees by temporarily expanding the traditional SBA 7(a) loan program.
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance
    This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.
  • SBA Express Bridge Loans
    Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
  • SBA Debt Relief
    The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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