New council bill could set stage for tiny houses to shelter Pittsburgh's homeless

A zoning change that would allow for tiny houses and other temporary managed communities to provide safe shelter for Pittsburgh’s homeless population is back on the table.

Nearly a year ago, City Council members Anthony Coghill, D-Beechview, and Deb Gross, D-Highland Park, introduced a proposal to allow such temporary communities in an effort to provide safe and dignified living conditions.

The pair last week scrapped their initial legislation, which had been stalled for months in front of the Planning Commission.

Now the concept is being included in a broader zoning package before the commission that advocates say would address concerns raised previously about compliance with the city’s zoning code.

The zoning bill would allow for interim housing in any area that also permits hotels, according to city Zoning Administrator Corey Layman. It would also bring the city into compliance with the Fair Housing Act, a federal law that prohibits housing discrimination.

The bill would add language to create a new classification of housing that would coverinterim housing sites, ranging from tiny house villages to managed tent encampments with garbage collection and restrooms to existing buildings that could be converted to short-term housing.

There would need to be a public hearing and management plans for each temporary site. The communities would need to include services that could help the occupants and connect people with appropriate resources so they can find permanent housing.

Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration had pushed against the proposal when Coghill and Gross first introduced it.

Officials in the administration said they might be compelled to remove unmanaged homeless camps if regulated sites were created, and they questioned whether the legislation would fit within the existing zoning code.

Gross said taking the new route to include the proposal in the broader zoning package aimed to address those concerns.

The zoning package also includes a variety of other tweaks and largely technical changes that aim to bring the city’s zoning code into compliance with federal and state standards.

One of those tweaks would lower the age required for a site to be considered senior housing from 62 to 55, in line with federal standards, Layman said.

Several upset residents told commissioners Tuesday they had been unaware of the proposed zoning changes and did not have time to fully understand the legislation and its ramifications.

Layman sought to reassure them that the bill is simply a way to ensure the city is in line with federal law.

If the city’s zoning doesn’t align with federal anti-discrimination measures, Layman said, it could lead to a lawsuit.

Commissioners unanimously voted to recommend the measure to council, which will have the final vote.

Commissioners requested that city planning staff and council offices launch an outreach campaign to help people better understand the legislation ahead of their vote.

Related:

• Pittsburgh council goes back to drawing board with tiny house bill

• Pittsburgh commission to vote on controversial plan addressing homelessness

• Tiny houses make big impact out west, emerge as possible fix for Pittsburgh homeless crisis