Take Charge of Your Health Today…Housing Security

CARLOS T. CARTER For December’s health focus, University of Pittsburgh student Michelle Dougherty highlights the latest research on housing security, including the role of community safe spaces. In response, Carlos T. Carter, President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, explains UL housing support for people who face money troubles due to rising rent. Q: Carlos, Michelle’s article mentions “rent burden,” which happens when the money people spend on rent causes financial distress. How is the Urban League able to help people who are rent burdened? Carlos: To reduce the stress of high housing costs for low- to moderate-income families, the UL offers services aimed at stabilizing housing situations. Our organization doesn’t provide funds directly, but it does connect eligible households to rental assistance programs and provides housing counseling. Since the pandemic, we’ve worked with agencies that focus on eviction prevention and support via magistrate court intervention, mediation with private landlords and subsidized housing providers, and delinquent payment plan options. & However, the cost of rent is rising above the 30%-35% standard. As rental prices began to increase, we realized that income, employment, and additional subsidized housing issues must be addressed. We created the program Moving on Up,...