Family Promise House in Brackenridge offers temporary space for homeless families

Expectant mom Bridget Ashby was down on her luck and found herself without a place to live when “God stepped in.”

Ashby and her 7-year-old son have a warm bed to sleep in this week with the opening of Family Promise House in Brackenridge.

The transitional housing facility, run by the Harrison-based Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, opened Feb. 12 at 903 Morgan St. in the former Applewood Personal Care Home.

“It’s a great environment,” Ashby said. “They not only help you find housing, but they help with school for the kids. And they seem like they really care.

“It’s not just a homeless shelter.”

The Pittsburgh woman is among more than 20 people who are calling Brackenridge home, at least temporarily.

Family Promise — solely for families with children — can accommodate 27 people at a time. Church association Executive Director Karen Snair said there is 24-hour supervision and security at night.

“Although we have provided shelter, case management and support to families for over 30 years, we have never been able to provide those services in this way,” Snair said.

“Having all the families staying in one location provides a continuity and stability that’s different from how we’ve housed families in the past.”

Snair said homelessness breaks stereotypes.

Many people who earn wages above the poverty line can’t afford basic necessities, she said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, just over 12% of the American population lives in poverty. That’s more than one in every nine people and one in six children.

Homelessness is increasing in Allegheny County, said Erin Dalton, director of the county’s Department of Human Services.

She said there are about 900 homeless people in the county.

That’s up slightly from 880 homeless people last winter, according to Department of Human Services data.

The Allegheny Valley Association of Churches invested $100,000 in renovations at the Family Promise House, Snair said, adding the building was purchased for about $200,000.

Operating costs are estimated to be upward of $20,000 a month, she said.

Assistance comes from a variety of sources.

“We receive funding from Allegheny County Department of Human Services through a Homeless Assistance Program grant. We also receive grant money from the Ira and Frances Wood Trust, the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, just to name a few,” Snair said. “Many private donations are also received.”

Noting grants cover only about half of the operating costs, she added, “Every donor matters.”

While the new facility sits near several businesses, it is situated in a largely residential area. Some neighbors appear to be welcoming the idea.

“It’s great,” said the Rev. Chet Howell, pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church on the opposite corner.

“When people are down and out, it’s nice they have a place delivered by God.”

Already, some of the temporary residents have attended Sunday services at Shiloh.

“We had a woman here from the house, and she was thanking God for the relief,” Howell said. “Sometimes people need a little help, and AVAC is providing it.”

Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser said she is grateful to the Association of Churches for working with local and regional partners to see the project through and for offering shelter and services to some of the region’s most vulnerable people.

“They work with people to support them in getting back on their feet after a tough time,” Fraser said. “And 85% of the people who come through AVAC’s housing assistance programs and move into their own homes choose to remain as residents in our community.”

The ministry is supported by a variety of partners, including “funders, donors, volunteers and numerous churches in the community,” Snair said.

Over the past year, Snair’s group renovated the former personal care home to provide a computer lab, telehealth room, meeting room and a new play space for children.

All of the bedrooms have new beds and mattresses. There is a common laundry area for residents.

Pittsburgh-area native Kevin McWhite Jr. moved into the facility with his wife and daughter after having lived on the West Coast for years.

“The money I had saved up to come back ended up being used quick because we’ve had some delays with a lot of stuff,” McWhite said. “You can only stay with family so long.”

In the past week, McWhite said staff at Family Promise have shown compassion for his challenges and connected him with resources to get his family back on their feet.

“They aren’t just trying to rush us through,” he said. “They’ve given us a chance to talk about what’s going on in our lives. God put us with people who really care.

“Despite so many situations that are out of our control, I’m very grateful for this place.”