A temporary shelter downtown is set to close at the end of June, but it could stay open due to public outcry.
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services says the Smithfield United Church of Christ overnight shelter is used during cold weather months but has stayed open due to demand.
While many businesses have complained about drug use and other disruptions in the area, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald says no one has come out publicly in support of closing the shelter but believes there is a solution that will help everyone.
“I think it makes sense to move these shelters out of business areas, out of residentials areas, out of places where it hurts business owners and residents into remote locations,” Fitzgerald told The Big K Morning Show.
Fitzgerald adds that places like Smithfield United and Second Avenue Commons are making the downtown area worse, not better.
“It hasn’t gone well, I hate to say that but it’s become more of a magnet of drawing more of that element into Downtown Pittsburgh,” said Fitzgerald.
He also went on to say that homeless people from surrounding counties are being bused to homeless shelters downtown.
The DHS says the Smithfield Shelter is ill-equipped for many reasons, including lack of air conditioning.
Former Pittsburgh Police Chief and former State Representative Dom Costa says that the homeless situation has gotten out of hand and things need to change now.
He says it’s time for the police to get engaged. He says officers need to give homeless people the resources that are available to help them. And if they don't decide to accept the help, the next alternative is jail.
And he warns if a game plan isn't put in place within the next few months
“it’s going to be very hard to turn it around, let’s put it that way, very, very hard, very difficult,” Costa told Rick Dayton on KDKA Radio.
The county released the following statement while announcing the closure “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.”