Voucher-Friendly Housing in Pittsburgh

HACP serves the city of Pittsburgh, operating public housing communities — such as Northview Heights, Bedford Dwellings, Allegheny Dwellings, and Arlington Heights — along with the Housing Choice Voucher program. Rent in HACP public housing is income-based, set at roughly 30% of adjusted household income.

HACP's Occupancy Department processes applications for both public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program. Waitlists open and close periodically depending on availability and funding. Check current status with HACP before applying — you can reach Occupancy at (412) 456-5030 or check waiting list status at (412) 520-3848. Never pay to apply.

Pittsburgh does not currently protect renters from source-of-income discrimination, and it is important to understand why. Pittsburgh City Council passed an ordinance in 2015 that would have barred landlords from refusing Housing Choice Vouchers, but landlords sued immediately and the law was never enforced. In 2022 the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck it down, holding that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act did not give the city that authority and that Pittsburgh's home-rule Business Exclusion invalidated it — because the ordinance forced landlords into business activity that had been voluntary. Pennsylvania has no statewide protection either. In practice this means a private landlord in Pittsburgh may legally decline your voucher. Federal Fair Housing protections still apply: a landlord may not refuse you based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.

Apply through the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) at hacp.org when waitlists are open. Rent is based on income (about 30% of adjusted household income); eligibility is generally limited to households at or below local income limits. Call HACP at (412) 456-5000, or the Occupancy Department at (412) 456-5030. Applications are free — never pay to apply.