Pittsburgh City Council approves $1.2M in funding for groups that combat homelessness

Several organizations that work to combat homelessness and provide emergency shelters will get an extra influx of cash from Pittsburgh City Council.

Council members on Tuesday approved a proposal to give nearly $1.2 million to nonprofits as they work to provide resources for the city’s homeless population. The money is coming from a federal grant program.

McKeesport-based social services agency Auberle is set to receive the largest sum — about $340,000 — to use for homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services.

Pittsburgh Mercy Healthy System’s Bethlehem Haven Emergency Shelter will receive $200,000, while East End Cooperative Ministry and Womanspace East will get $125,000 for their emergency shelters.

Money also is earmarked for the county’s Department of Human Services to help fund their homeless management information system and coordinated entry programs.

FamilyLinks, Goodwill of Southern Pennsylvania, the Salvation Army and the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh also are slated to receive funding for their shelters.

This comes as city officials have said they are working to bring solutions for Pittsburgh’s homeless populations amid what many have classified as an affordable housing crisis.

City officials have proposed a range of potential solutions to alleviate the crisis, including proposals for tiny houses, limited-equity housing cooperatives and accessory dwelling units. The city is partnering with county and state officials to launch a pilot program that will convert unused Downtown office space into residential units. A new homeless shelter Downtown also will be able to offer shelter for homeless individuals.