Ways to Stay Involved this June
Summer is beginning to heat up, and we have plenty of low-effort ways to stay involved this month. Do you have 5, 15, or even 20 minutes to spare? If so then you too can support housing. We encourage you to take action, and pass this along to any of your friends or neighbors who might be interested.
Pittsburgh Initiatives
Housing Opportunity Fund Survey (~10 mins)
What is the HOF? The City of Pittsburgh allocates $10 million every year to the Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF) to address and support affordable housing needs in Pittsburgh. Each year, the URA conducts a public survey to hear directly from residents about their needs.
How to do it: Visit the survey page here.
Why is this important? Your input informs how funding could be allocated toward HOF programs in the coming year. The survey will close on Monday, June 15th.
City Budget Engagements (~5 mins)
Why does the City hold budget engagement sessions? The city holds in-person sessions, and also accepts comments online, in advance of creating next year’s city budget. Do you want to see better sidewalks, improvements in infrastructure, or an increase in removing blighted and abandoned structures? Let the city know what is needed in your neighborhood!
How to do it:
Take five minutes to fill out the survey at the bottom of the City’s Engage page here.
If you have a few more minutes, zoom in on the map and add markers indicating what kind of capital projects you’d like to see in your neighborhood.
Why is this important? The feedback period is open through June, and your comments will help guide how resources are spent in your district!
Countywide
Property Assessment Public Hearings (~15 mins)
What is being proposed? The county is holding hearings to gather public comment on proposed Bill No. 13892-26, which provides for regular reassessment of properties located within Allegheny County.
How to do it:
To send comments by email:
Email your testimony to Chief Clerk Jared E. Barker (Jared.Barker@alleghenycounty.us).
Written testimony will be accepted through July 10th.
To participate in person:
You must register at least 24 hours in advance by filling out the online registration form on the County Council webpage here.
There are three upcoming sessions:
June 3, 2026, 5:30 PM, CCAC Boyce Campus Auditorium, 595 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA 15146
June 16, 2026, 5:30 PM, CCAC West Hills Center, Room S1308, 1000 McKee Road, Oakdale, PA 15071
July 1, 2026, 5:30 PM, CCAC North Campus, Room 3002, 8701 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Why is this important? Allegheny County needs to do frequent, regular, and fair assessments. Learn more about why it’s beneficial for everyone in our policy explanation here.
Statewide Housing Bills
Support Legalizing ADUs & “Golden Girls Law” (~5 mins)
What bills are being voted on? Both HB 2186 (accessory dwelling units or ADUs) and HB 2109 ("The Golden Girls Law" or occupancy reform) went to a vote, and passed, last week.
HB 2186 (ADUs) would legalize accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, across the state.
HB 2109 ("The Golden Girls Law") would eliminate outdated occupancy limits, allowing more flexibility for people who want to live with multiple roommates.
What happens next: Visit the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania’s website here, or register for our emails here, to stay updated as these bills move forward.
Why is this important? Commonsense reforms like these are widely supported and are effective tools for easing the housing cost burden for everyone. Learn more about why we support broad upzoning in our policy explainer here.