PITTSBURGH (100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA) Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey says he recognizes there is a problem with homelessness, but it isn't an issue that can be solved overnight.
Gainey and County Exacutive Rich Fitzgerald last week visited a homeless encampment on the North Shore.
Gainey tells The Big K Morning Show there was no plan for the homeless in place when he took office and he and Fitzgerald visited to get a better understanding of the issue.
Citizens and businesses have voice concerns the past few months over open-air drug use and drug dealing.
According to Gainey, police are instructed to arrest drug dealer and those that commit crimes but homelessness can't be solved by taking people into custody.
“If they’re breaking the law or they’re doing something that’s wrong, we want them in jail,” Gainey said. “But the reality is we have to have a plan and support services to be able to deal with this.”
The Gainey administration is working closely with the county to provide funding for more programs and affordable housing.
“By no means do we want to say the homeless are the crime,” Gainey said. “We have a host of different situations and issues.”
A new Homeless Shelter is set to open on Second Avenue later this month that can accommodate over 180 a night.