Over the years, FTS has established and grown our collaborative relationships with local human service and community benefit organizations.  This is best demonstrated in the Rent Assistance program, where we partner with such agencies and groups to provide financial assistance to individuals and families seeking to prevent eviction or secure new long-term housing.  In the early weeks of the coronavirus mitigation shutdown, most of these partnerships were disrupted.  Agencies restricted or temporarily ceased operations as they transitioned to working remotely, as did churches and religious-affiliated groups.  Referrals to FTS for rent assistance decreased.  Additionally, Pennsylvania issued a moratorium on evictions. In March and April, cases decreased by nearly half.   However, because so many other sources of rent support were unavailable, the cost per case to FTS has increased. As the end of the eviction moratorium approaches, we anticipate a significant uptick in calls for rent assistance.
 
At present, this program is funded primarily through grants from the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Foundation and the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County.

As the social service system-wide ramifications of ‘stay at home’ orders developed, calls to Feeding the Spirit for emergency shelter markedly increased. Admissions to county shelters stopped for some time as these providers worked to devise and implement COVID-19 management protocols.  Fortunately, the local hotels with which FTS works to place folks in a housing crisis have remained open throughout.  From March 16 - April 30th, FTS provided safe shelter for 66 individuals and families for 95 nights. 
 
Funding for Feeding the Spirit’s Crisis Placement program comes from The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County and the Lulu A. Poole Charitable Trust.