(HUMAN SERVICES) DHS Announces Plans, Resources for Individuals Currently Served at Smithfield Shelter

PITTSBURGH – The county Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced additional plans that have been put in place to provide resources and shelter for those individuals who have been using the Smithfield United Church of Christ for temporary overnight shelter.

In preparation for the closure of the temporary shelter, DHS and its partners have been identifying naturally occurring vacancies within the shelter system, expanding capacity at existing facilities, identifying new shelter locations, and may also utilize overflow in other facilities where appropriate. There are 100-125 people who stay at Smithfield for more than a few days per month. Thus far, over 100 beds have been identified in existing facilities that can expand their capacity, including with East End Cooperative Ministries, Light of Life, Second Avenue Commons (2AC), and Unity Recovery. DHS staff is also meeting with various other sites that may serve as potential shelter options.

DHS and its partner organizations have been engaging with individuals experiencing homelessness at the Smithfield location to point them to shelter vacancies and services such as health care, mental health, substance use, and other supports. People in need of support can call the Allegheny Link at 1-866-730-2368 or stop by the 2AC engagement center for one-on-one assistance. Individuals who have not yet connected with outreach staff are also encouraged to follow up with the Link or the engagement center.

Recognizing that transportation and connections remain a hurdle for many people experiencing homelessness, DHS is partnering with foundations and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership to launch a van service to support individuals experiencing homelessness by providing transport to and from new and existing locations, as well as to other supports that individuals may already be making use of including locations serving meals and offering showers, as well as health care, mental health, and substance use care. Details on the van will be released in the coming weeks as plans to support those currently utilizing the Smithfield shelter are finalized.

It is DHS’ top priority to continue to develop housing solutions for those experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness. Over the past year, the county has created more shelter and also seen an increase in unsheltered homeless. In that time, approximately 400 new households have become enrolled into DHS-funded permanent housing programs. In the last year, over 900 people moved to permanent housing. DHS has also been successful in receiving new competitive funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), totaling $23.9 million, an increase of nearly $1 million more than last year, allowing the department to continue to expand these programs.

DHS also continues to have partnerships with the City of Pittsburgh Housing Authority and the Housing Authority of Allegheny County for the Emergency Housing Voucher program. DHS regularly refers households with individuals exiting DHS-supported housing programs to the housing authorities to receive those vouchers.

DHS’ engagement with landlords has resulted in additional housing being made available which means more people can exit the homelessness system to permanent housing. Approximately 75 households have benefited from this initiative to date.

The opening of 2AC has also already had a substantial impact on those it serves. According to a press release issued by the partners last week, since its opening in November 2022, 2AC efforts have led to:

43 formerly unhoused individuals have moved into the single room occupancy (SRO) apartments;
18 people have moved to permanent housing;
22 individuals have secured employment;
450 people have been connected to benefits;
176 individuals were connected to treatment for substance use disorder;
115 individuals were connected to behavioral health services; and
75 individuals have obtained identification cards.

Additionally, through March 2023, the UPMC 2AC Health Center has:

Completed 643 visits and saw 213 unique patients;
Ordered over 40 prescription glasses through a partnership with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation; and
Dispensed 169 prescriptions, for free, from the center’s on-site medication supply.

DHS announced last week its plans to close the temporary overnight shelter located at Smithfield United Church of Christ by the end of June 2023.