Cleared encampment is progress, officials say
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A former homeless encampment on the Eliza Furnace Trail in Downtown Pittsburgh. Photo: Chrissy Suttles/Axios
Allegheny County's push to expand affordable housing is reshaping Pittsburgh. Downtown's largest homeless encampment is clear, with politicians and housing advocates calling it a sign of progress.
Why it matters: The number of people experiencing homelessness in the county has risen in recent years, partly due to increased rents and lingering effects from the pandemic.
- Allegheny County's unhoused population rose 12% from 2023 to 2024 alone.
Zoom out: The county launched the "500 in 500" plan in June 2024 to help 500 people experiencing homelessness or housing instability find a stable, affordable place to live in 500 days.
- The effort aims to leverage existing public housing, new housing and revamped vacant buildings to move people out of emergency shelters with expedited housing vouchers, making space for those living in camps.
- Federal and state funding, tax credits and philanthropic support fund it.
Zoom in: County Executive Sara Innamorato and Mayor Ed Gainey celebrated the cleared Eliza Furnace Trail encampment behind Allegheny County Jail on Monday.
- The prominent walking and biking trail had been lined with up to 40 tents in recent months. Innamorato said people living on the trail had gradually transitioned to shelter and housing without a formal sweep.
By the numbers: The county has created 191 housing units and moved 278 people into units since launching the initiative eight months ago.
- Around this time last year, 857 people in Allegheny County were in emergency shelters and 169 were unsheltered, according to county data.
- As of Monday, there were 804 people in an emergency shelter program and at least 191 unsheltered.
What they're saying: Gainey, who is gearing up for a competitive May primary, said, "What makes this effort different is the fact that housing and shelter came first, not displacement, criminalization or empty promises…"
Yes, but: Past efforts to clear encampments have elicited criticism from housing advocates.
The bottom line: Innamorato and Gainey acknowledged that significant work is still ahead, but they believe the incremental progress is "worth celebrating."