Last week we joined The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (TIP) to celebrate the renovation of the duplex that will provide quality, safe and stable transitional housing to their students and recent graduates while they complete training and seek employment.

Approximately 30% of TIP students are living in situations that are classified as homeless according to the Allegheny Continuum of Care definition. To address this issue, TIP renovated a duplex that will serve as short-term workforce housing for their students experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. 

Last week, at a ribbon cutting ceremony with TIP and other project partners, we celebrated the completion of the renovation of the home that will serve as temporary housing for TIP students as they complete their training programs. While living in the house they will receive wrap-around support services and simultaneously develop in-demand carpentry and masonry skills while maintaining the house. As participants complete the job training, obtain employment, and achieve stability, ACTION-Housing, Inc. will assist in finding permanent, affordable housing. 

“We are extremely proud to partner with TIP to activate this transformational workforce housing model that will address the pervasive issue of finding affordable housing for students who have been previously incarcerated or homeless. This model removes the barrier of having access to quality, safe and affordable housing while simultaneously creating the opportunity for participants to learn renovation, home repair, and maintenance skills, in addition to what they are learning through their training program.”

-Presley Gillespie, Neighborhood Allies President

Neighborhood Allies provided a $75,000 grant in 2018 that has since leveraged an additional $460,000 from a variety of other funders and partners in order to bring this project to life. The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh will formally launch this pilot model in 2021.