| PITTSBURGH – The county Department of Human Services (DHS) confirmed today that the temporary overnight shelter located at Smithfield United Church of Christ will close by the end of
June 2023.
In preparation of that closure, 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. This supplemental capacity will be in addition to the over 90 shelter beds created when Second Avenue Commons opened in late November 2022.
DHS’ engagement with landlords has resulted in additional housing being made available which means more people can exit the homelessness system to permanent housing. Additionally, DHS and its partners continue to work to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness such as health care, mental health, substance use, and other priorities.
In March, DHS announced that it would continue using the Smithfield Shelter beyond the usual closure date. The shelter has always been a temporary shelter used during cold
weather months. The facility, however, is not a permanent solution and is not equipped to handle a population during the warm or hot weather months for a number of reasons, including the lack of a central cooling system.
Over the past year, the county has created more shelter and also seen an increase in unsheltered homelessness. It is DHS’ top priority to continue to develop housing solutions for those experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness.
"Thank you to the wonderful leadership and congregation of Smithfield United Church of Christ for their willingness to open their church in November when we had no other winter shelter. Their decades long commitment to a very vulnerable population is unparalleled," said DHS Director Erin Dalton. "We are grateful for their partnership."
|
