Uncategorized Archives - Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh

Is a Tangled Title Putting Your Family’s Home at Risk?

Laura Peckyno — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:48:55 +0000

What is a Tangled Title?

You grew up in your house. You pay the property taxes, cover the water bill, and mow the lawn every summer. To you and your neighbors, it’s undeniably your home. But if your parent or partner passed away and the deed was never legally transferred into your name (or if a deceased partner’s name was never removed from the deed), the law sees it differently.

You’re dealing with what’s called a tangled title.

Here at Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh (RTP), we step in to make crucial home repairs so families can stay safe and warm. But tangled titles are one of the most frustrating roadblocks we hit. It’s heartbreaking to sit at a kitchen table with a family who desperately needs a new roof or a working furnace, only to have to tell them our hands are tied because their name isn’t on the deed.

How Titles Get Tangled

It usually happens quietly. A home gets passed down through the family, but the legal paperwork doesn’t follow. If a homeowner passes away without a will, or if the family never goes through probate (the legal process of transferring assets), the deed stays locked in the deceased person’s name.

This is incredibly common. In fact, Neighborhood Legal Services estimates there are around 4,000 tangled titles right now in Allegheny County alone.

The Domino Effect on Families

Taking care of a house doesn’t make you the legal owner on paper. Without that clear title, you hit a financial brick wall:

No Access to Repairs: You can’t get a home equity loan or qualify for nonprofit repair grants (including ours at RTP) to fix an emergency like a caving roof.
The Threat of Foreclosure: If you fall behind on taxes or utility bills, you can’t get on a payment plan. Those are strictly reserved for the legal owner. This puts the house at serious risk of a Sheriff’s sale.
You Can’t Sell: Even as property values rise, you can’t sell the house to access the equity your family spent decades building.
Lost Wealth: For many families, a home is their only major financial asset. A tangled title essentially erases that generational wealth.

It Hurts the Whole Neighborhood

This isn’t just an individual family crisis. When folks can’t access the funds to fix a broken pipe or a failing porch, the house deteriorates. Sometimes, families are forced to just walk away because the legal mess is too overwhelming and expensive to untangle.

Those vacant properties drag down the whole block. They lower property values for the neighbors and strip desperately needed affordable housing from our community.

Where to Find Help in Pittsburgh

Fixing a tangled title is complicated and usually requires a lawyer, which sounds expensive. But you don’t have to figure it out alone.

When we meet a homeowner in this situation, we connect them with local partners who can help clear the title so we can eventually get to work on the repairs. If you or someone you know is stuck in this situation, reach out to these organizations:

Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA): If you live in the City of Pittsburgh and meet the income guidelines (at or below 80% Area Median Income), the URA’s Housing Opportunity Fund has a Legal Assistance Program that provides up to $5,000 to help resolve tangled titles.
Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS): NLS has a specific Tangled Title Project. They work directly with low-income clients to cut through the red tape and reduce the heavy administrative costs of untangling a deed.
Catapult Greater Pittsburgh: Through their CLEAR program, Catapult offers free legal help to clear up titles. They also help families set up wills and estate plans so this doesn’t happen to the next generation.

Protecting Your Family’s Home

The absolute best way to handle a tangled title is to stop it before it starts. If you own your home, write a will. It’s the strongest shield you can give your family’s future.

If you are living in a family home right now and aren’t 100% sure whose name is on the paperwork, don’t wait for the furnace to break or a tax notice to arrive to find out. Check your property records, and call one of the organizations above if you need help protecting your family’s legacy.

Resources to Help You

We know that homeownership challenges can be complicated, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. If you need to speak with someone about your home’s title, reach out to one of the local programs in this handy guide. And please share it with others! Please feel free to reach out to us at Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh if you have any questions or need additional guidance.

Click to download the resource guide.

The post Is a Tangled Title Putting Your Family’s Home at Risk? appeared first on Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh.

Stay Cool and Safe: Navigating the Extreme Heat in Southwestern PA

Laura Peckyno — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:00:24 +0000

A safe and healthy home is our top priority, but when extreme heat strikes, homes without air conditioning can quickly become dangerous. The National Weather Service has issued a severe Heat Advisory for our area from Tuesday, June 30, through Friday, July 3, with heat indexes expected to reach 102 degrees.

Because overnight temperatures will remain high, homes may struggle to cool down. Please take this seriously—extreme heat can become dangerous very quickly, even for those who are young and healthy.

If your home becomes dangerously hot, please do not try to tough it out. There are places across our district where you can cool down.

Find Immediate Relief: Call 2-1-1

The fastest way to find the closest cooling center or cooling station is to dial 2-1-1 or search the United Way summer resources using your ZIP code online. Because locations and hours can change as local governments respond, always call to confirm a location is open before leaving home.

Local Cooling Centers

The following CitiParks cooling centers are scheduled to remain open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily through Thursday, July 2:

Beechview Healthy Active Living Center: 1555 Broadway Ave, 15216
Greenfield Healthy Active Living Center: 745 Greenfield Ave, 15217
Homewood Healthy Active Living Center: 7321 Frankstown Ave, 15208
Sheraden Healthy Active Living Center: 720 Sherwood Ave, 15204
South Side Healthy Active Living Center: 12th and Bingham Streets, 15203

These centers are open to the everyone (not just older adults) and will hae food, drinks, and snacks available.

Allegheny County Resources

Older Adults: Call the Allegheny County Senior Line at 412-350-5460 for help finding a safe place to cool down.

Adults Experiencing Homelessness: Visit the Second Avenue Commons Engagement Center (700 Second Ave, 1st Floor, 15219) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Phone: 412-775-9001.

Westmoreland County Resources

Select libraries are serving as cooling spaces during normal operating hours (please call ahead to confirm):

Norwin Public Library: 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin (724-863-4700)
Penn Area Library: 2001 Municipal Court, Harrison City (724-744-4414)
Trafford Library: 416 Brinton Avenue, Trafford (412-372-5115)

Older Adults: The Jeannette Center for Active Adults (211 Gaskill Ave) may be available. Call the Area Agency on Aging at 724-830-4444.

Know the Signs of Heat Illness

Pay attention to what your body is telling you, and check on your neighbors—especially older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone living alone.

Heat Exhaustion

Signs: Heavy sweating; headache, nausea, or dizziness; weakness; muscle cramps; extreme thirst; pale/cool skin.
Action: Move to an air-conditioned area, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths, and sip water. Seek medical help if symptoms do not improve.

Heat Stroke (Medical Emergency)

Signs: Confusion or slurred speech; fainting; seizures; very hot skin (dry or sweating); dangerously high body temperature.
Action: Call 911 immediately. Begin cooling the person with cold water or ice while waiting for help. Do not leave them alone.

Protecting Your Home, Family, and Pets

Keep the heat out: Close blinds and curtains during the day. Avoid using your oven or large appliances.

Hydrate: Drink water regularly before you feel thirsty.

Cool down: Take a cool shower or bath. Remember that fans do not protect against heat illness in rooms hotter than 90 degrees.

Protect your pets: Keep pets indoors with AC and fresh water. Walk dogs in the early morning or late evening. If the pavement is too hot for the back of your hand, it will burn their paws. Note: If you need a cooling center, call 2-1-1 first to confirm their pet policy.

Work safely: If you work outdoors or in a hot building, take frequent shaded breaks, drink water, and use a buddy system.

Power Outages and Utility Help

If your power goes out, report it directly to your electric utility and stay at least 30 feet away from any downed lines (call 911 to report them).

Duquesne Light: 888-393-7000
West Penn Power / FirstEnergy: 888-544-4877 (or text OUT to 544487)

If you are struggling to afford the cost of keeping your home cool, contact your utility to ask about customer-assistance programs, or call the PA Public Utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380.

Please stay safe during this heatwave and be sure to check on your neighbors.

The post Stay Cool and Safe: Navigating the Extreme Heat in Southwestern PA appeared first on Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh.

Why Your Neighborhood Might Be Making the Heat Wave Worse

Laura Peckyno — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:47:12 +0000

A recent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article highlighted a critical issue during our current summer heat waves, The exact neighborhood you live in can significantly impact your risk of heat-related illness. Since the original article is behind a paywall, we wanted to break down the core concepts and share why this matters for our community!

The “Urban Heat Island” Effect

A recent Carnegie Mellon University study found that historically redlined and low-income neighborhoods in Pittsburgh are on average 5 degrees hotter than other areas of the city. Why? These neighborhoods have a higher concentration of heat-trapping “dark surfaces” (like dark roofs, sprawling parking lots, and asphalt roads) combined with a significant lack of trees that can help cool a neighborhood.

The Cost of Cooling

This infrastructure gap creates a dangerous cycle for vulnerable populations like seniors, childlren, and those with health conditions. As summer temperatures rise and nights stay humid, residents are left without a chance to cool off. Compounding this is the reality of “energy poverty.” In some areas, low-income residents spend up to 18% of their income on energy bills, making air conditioning an unaffordable luxury even if they have the equipment.

Here at Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, we see this challenge firsthand. RTP works to weatherize homes for older adults, disabled individuals, and low-income residents to help them trap heat in the winter and stay cool in the summer.

Temperature issues are occurring throughout the year now. We notice that the majority of homeowners we work with are in need of an AC and rarely have a functioning cooling system. –Travis Renville, RTP CEO

Looking Ahead: Sustainable Solutions

The good news is that there are actionable ways to cool down our neighborhoods. Experts and advocates are pushing for the city to invest in “smart surfaces.” Integrating things like green roofs, solar panels, porous pavements, and extensive tree planting—especially during routine street maintenance—can dramatically lower neighborhood temperatures, reduce flooding risks, and make our communities safer and more equitable for everyone.

The post Why Your Neighborhood Might Be Making the Heat Wave Worse appeared first on Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh.

Swing into Action at TopGolf FORE Safe & Healthy Homes

Laura Peckyno — Thu, 14 May 2026 14:53:14 +0000

Are You Ready to Tee Off for a Purpose?

We are thrilled to announce that tickets are officially on sale for our annual event, TopGolf FORE Safe & Healthy Homes, Presented by Duquesne Light! This isn’t just a golf outing; it’s an evening dedicated to building a safer, stronger Pittsburgh, one swing at a time. On October 1st, join Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh (RTP) for a night of friendly competition, high-energy fun, and community impact. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or have never picked up a club in your life, TopGolf’s inclusive atmosphere ensures everyone has a blast while supporting a critical cause.

Event Information

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
Location: TopGolf Bridgeville
400 Presto-Sygan Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017

Why Your Participation Matters

At RTP, we believe that safe and stable housing is the foundation of a thriving community. Unfortunately, many low- to moderate-income homeowners in our region face daunting challenges. From urgent roof repairs to accessibility modifications and hazardous living conditions, these issues are often the result of decades of systemic inequities and disinvestment. This is where you come in. Every ticket sold and every point scored helps us provide zero-cost home repairs to the families who need them most. Your support helps elderly residents age in place safely, assists families in building generational wealth, and revitalizes the very fabric of our neighborhoods.

What to Expect

Your ticket is your all-access pass to an unforgettable evening:

TopGolf Play: Three hours of play in reserved bays.
Dinner & Drinks: A delicious spread of food and refreshing beverages.
Prizes & More: Opportunities to win exciting items while networking with fellow community-minded leaders and neighbors

Thank You to our Generous Sponsors!

We are incredibly grateful to our event sponsors, who help to make this event both special and impactful!

Interested in Sponsoring this Event?

If you or your business would like to discuss sonsorship opportunities for this event, please reach out! We have many levels of support available to help you advertise your business. Details about sponsorships can be found in our new Sponsorship Packet, or simply contact us at lpeckyno@rtpittsburgh.org to learn more.

Tickets are on sale now!

Don’t wait—bays fill up fast. Secure your spot today and help us swing into action for Pittsburgh families.

Buy Tickets

A Special Thank You to Our In-Kind Sponsors

Our Annual TopGolf FORE Safe & Healthy Homes fundraiser wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of our community partners. The premium items, gift certificates, and experiences provided by these fantastic brands drive the excitement of our event raffle, directly helping us raise the critical funds needed to purchase building materials for our zero-cost home repair programs.

Please join us in thanking the following organizations for supporting safe and healthy housing in the Pittsburgh region:

The post Swing into Action at TopGolf FORE Safe & Healthy Homes appeared first on Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh.