Why This Matters

The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program was created as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 to address homelessness and housing insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2021, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated 70,000 tenant-based vouchers to public housing authorities across the United States. To guide future policy around homelessness services and housing voucher programs for people experiencing homelessness, we examined how six communities implemented the EHV program. This case study summarizes the program in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, which targeted households transitioning from term-limited housing programs, moving on from permanent supportive housing, or staying in shelters for six months or longer.

Key Takeaways

The Allegheny County Continuum of Care partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County Housing Authority, housing service providers, and the Continuum of Care Homeless Advisory Board to implement the program. The two public housing authorities aligned their strategies through landlord engagement and incentives, self-certification waivers, and short-term case management to lease up and stabilize EHV holders. As of April 2025, 80 percent of EHVs in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are currently leased.

Based on these experiences, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County EHV program staff suggested the following policy changes to improve future voucher programs: maintain flexibility in the service fee, continue mandatory waivers that are necessary for improving access to vouchers, assign a case manager to each voucher holder, and fund aftercare or supportive services.