Student Renter Resources

Welcome to Oakland!

Here is everything you need to know about renting in Oakland as a student, including waste and recycling, renters’ rights, utilities, transportation and parking, public safety, and more.

Food Resources

OPDC created online and offline maps to help people find food resources in our community.

For each pantry, we offer details including their offerings, point of contact, and eligibility requirements. Printable maps are available in a variety of languages.

Helping Pittsburgh area homeowners make smart home improvements to make their homes healthy, green and reduce utility bills. Get a cost-effective home improvement plan, referrals to quality contractors, and a free check-up on contractor work.

Helping City of Pittsburgh residents buy a home or improve their existing home through mortgage and home improvement products, special financing options, grants for down payment and closing costs assistance; and emergency repair programs for low income homeowners. 

Services for those in need of affordable housing, homeless assistance, mortgage assistance, home weatherization and utility assistance.

Providing low-income homeowners with critical home repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy-efficient upgrades.

Offering free counseling, homebuyer education and financial literacy courses designed to help individuals and families achieve their dreams.

PUBLIC SAFETY & Neighborhood quality

Report non-emergency issues to the City of Pittsburgh such as potholes, weeds and overgrowth, graffiti, or housing code violations.

Pitt Police is an active partner in reducing crime in Oakland's residential neighborhoods and improving student-resident relations.

Neighborhood Data

This tool supports key community initiatives by making public information easier to find and use. The Data Center maintains Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh’s open data portal, and provides a number of services to data publishers and users.

An interactive map that displays permits, licenses, code enforcement, and planning applications for the City of Pittsburgh.

Search for Certificates of Occupancy to determine the legal use of any building within the City limits. 

With data and indicators from local, state, and federal government sources, along with a select set of other databases, this tool helps users understand and visualize data along a range of geographic areas in our communities and region.
 

Get all kinds of data about Pitts­burgh—includ­ing 311 re­quests, build­ing permits, code violat­ions, and pub­lic safe­ty in­ci­dents.

Transportation Plans

OTMA is dedicated to reducing congestion and pollution within Oakland through promoting initiatives that advocate for public transportation, shared vehicle programs, and a safer environment for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Port Authority operates public transportation and the ACCESS paratransit throughout Allegheny County.

GoBurgh, a project of PCRG, convenes communities, organizations and businesses to work toward a sustainable and vibrant transit infrastructure in the Pittsburgh region. It connects local partners with research on transit-oriented development and advocates local, regional, and state government to ensure smart and equitable legislation and regulation.

CAT is an assembly of individuals with disabilities, members of their families, and representatives of agencies that serve them. Learn more about how CAT advises the Port Authority of Allegheny County on ways to ensure that public transportation is accessible for all riders.

This new department at the city of Pittsburgh plans and manages efforts to enhance the safety and accessibility of transportation for all its commuters, residents, and visitors.

Read more about how Bike Pittsburgh advocates for a transportation network that is safe and convenient for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Read more about how this grassroots organization advocates for equitable, affordable, and sustainable public transportation systems for all residents of Allegheny County.

Learn about how this advisory board advocates for people with disabilities through educating and informing public and government officials.