Are 450 Shelter Beds Enough For Pittsburgh’s Unhoused?

It’s officially winter, according to Allegheny County’s emergency winter housing plan, which is supposed to expand our capacity to provide for unhoused people when the temperatures start to fall. Officials say we’re ready, that more beds will be available IF temperatures and demand require them, but they haven’t shared where those beds will be. As encampments continue to get cleared, we talk with PublicSource photojournalist Stephanie Strasburg about why biggest overflow space — Smithfield Church of Christ — closed this year, and what the plan is for winter 2023-24.

Read PublicSource’s “Shelter Stakes” series here. Stay connected with PublicSource throughout the week when you sign up for their free email newsletters.

If you or someone you know is experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness, you can contact The Allegheny Link. Their number is 1-866-730-2368. There’s also a bunch of Resource Guides there that list groups already doing outreach work if you’d rather donate or volunteer your time.

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