Houston
Ask about Houston
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Houston and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Houston
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · Regional office
PA 211 Southwest
Help here
- Help finding local supportCall 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 to find local help with needs such as food, housing, utilities, health care, and jobs.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on pa211.org
Local office · City office
Houston Borough Office
42 Western Ave, Houston, PA 15342
Help here
- Borough servicesVisit or call the borough office for help with borough services and questions.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on houstonborough.org
Older adults · Regional office
Chartiers Satellite Center
Chartiers Township Community Center, 2013 Community Drive, Houston, PA 15342
Help here
- Senior center servicesOlder adults can visit for senior center activities and support.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on swpa-aaa.org
Library · Regional office
Chartiers-Houston Community Library
730 West Grant Street, Houston, PA 15342
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the library to borrow books and use library resources; it serves Houston Borough residents.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on washlibs.org
Checked on October 9, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Houston first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Tuesday Night Meal Program
Outreached Arms
17 miles from the center of Houston320 Oliver Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Every Tuesday; doors open at 6:30 PM. Dinner at 7:00 PM.
Who can come: All are welcome
Listed on outreachedarms.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
The Walk-In Ministry
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
17 miles from the center of Houston325 Oliver Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 1 PM. October 19 to 22, 2026 only
- Tue11 AM to 1 PM. October 19 to 22, 2026 only
- Wed11 AM to 1 PM. October 19 to 22, 2026 only
- Thu11 AM to 1 PM. October 19 to 22, 2026 only
Who can come: Anyone who walks in
What to bring: No name, ID, or income verification is required. Guests may receive items anonymously.
Listed on trinitypittsburgh.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Walk-In Ministry
First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh
17 miles from the center of Houston320 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 1 PM
- Tue11 AM to 1 PM
- Wed11 AM to 1 PM
- Thu11 AM to 1 PM
Listed on downtownpittsburghministerium.wordpress.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Walk-In Ministry
Smithfield United Church of Christ
17 miles from the center of Houston620 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Hours
- Mon8:30 AM to 11 AM
- Tue8:30 AM to 11 AM
- Wed8:30 AM to 11 AM
- Thu8:30 AM to 11 AM
Who can come: Downtown residents
Listed on downtownpittsburghministerium.wordpress.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Steel City Table
18 miles from the center of Houston2700 Jane Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Hours
- Tue5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Thu5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Listed on steelcitytable.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Northside Food Pantry
Northside Common Ministries
18 miles from the center of Houston1601 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Hours
- Tue9:30 AM to 12 PM
- Wed9:30 AM to 12 PM
Listed on ncmin.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Houston
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
1 North Linden Street, Duquesne, PA 15110
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Summit Legal Aid
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Blueprints
150 West Beau Street, Suite 304, Washington, PA 15301
Listed on dced.pa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Washington County
Houston is in Washington County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Child support · County office
Washington County Domestic Relations Section
Family Court Center, 29 W Cherry Avenue, Washington, PA 15301
Help here
- Child and spousal supportGet help establishing, collecting, or enforcing child and spousal support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on washingtoncourts.us
State office
Washington County Assistance Office
201 W Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301
Help here
- Public benefits applicationsApply in person for public benefits, including cash assistance, SNAP, and LIHEAP.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on pa.gov
Housing help · County office
Washington County Housing & Homeless Services
Crossroads Center, 95 W Beau Street, Washington, PA 15301
Help here
- Housing and homelessness assistanceCall for coordinated entry to shelter, housing assistance, and support if you are at risk of homelessness.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on washingtoncopa.gov
Housing help · County office
Washington County Housing Authority
100 S Franklin Street, Washington, PA 15301
Help here
- Affordable housingContact the authority about public housing and housing choice vouchers.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wchapa.org
Human services · County office
Washington County Human Services Centralized Intake
Crossroads Center, Third Floor, 95 W Beau Street, Washington, PA 15301
Help here
- Human services referralsCall to get connected with local help for food, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, and other needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on washingtoncopa.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Washington County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
95 W Beau Street, Third Floor, Washington, PA 15301
Help here
- Behavioral and developmental health servicesContact the county to learn about mental health, substance use, developmental disability, autism, and early intervention services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on washingtoncopa.gov
Pennsylvania programs by kind of help
These are run by Pennsylvania and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- PA 211 Southwest
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988