Unhoused Encampments on the TRHT
Pittsburgh is just one of many cities in the U.S. that is currently seeing groups of unhoused people living on publicly accessible land. If this is a situation you want to understand more about, we invite you to start with our Statement, right, which gives an overview of all that we do around this issue and what our role is.
Quick Facts
- Friends of the Riverfront does not own the land on which the trails sit – much of that land is owned by the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding municipalities. When it comes to the vast majority of the trail, our organization does not hold legal jurisdiction.
- Friends of the Riverfront coordinates with all governmental and non-profit stakeholders who are working to address Pittsburgh’s unhoused encampments, and shares with them all information and concerns we receive from our staff, volunteers and the public pertaining to unhoused encampments.
- Concerns about the conditions and safety of our trails are central to our mission. We do not regard those concerns lightly, and we dedicate a huge amount of time and resources to all the work that goes into monitoring and managing this issue. Last year, we inaugurated the Trail Ambassador program, in which volunteers wear vests identifying them as working with Friends, and part of the aim of this program is to give us extra ability to monitor trail conditions and create a feeling of safety for trail users.
- Unhoused people are also trail users, and therefore they are part of the group of people it is our mission to consider
Actions You Can Take
Many people have asked us what actions they should take around the unhoused encampments along the trail, and we understand that it is easy to become discouraged. The main suggestion we have is to stay engaged.
- Keep sharing your concerns with community leaders and elected officials. We rely on people voicing their concerns to continue to motivate those engaged in tackling this complex issue. Find your City Councilperson and your County Councilperson and get in touch with them.
- Stay connected to Friends and other organizations working to improve the situation of unhoused encampments and those living in them, and to support their work when you can. Allegheny County has launched a 500 in 500 initiative, aiming to provide 500 units of permanent housing in 500 days. They are working to transform existing facilities to housing for those exiting shelters. On the right, we have linked to a few local and regional organizations you can support via donations as well as some additional resources pertaining to our unhoused population in Allegheny County. We do not list them, but local food banks and food kitchens not only take donations, they are also happy to take volunteers. And finally we also ask that you keep Friends of the Riverfront in mind when you’re looking for organizations to support.
- Finally, learn more. Below you will find some articles about unhoused encampments that our staff have found helpful in understanding more about this complex issue. Since much of the United States is experiencing the phenomenon of unhoused people on publicly accessible land, there have been some useful strategies proposed. Friends hopes to be able to contribute to and support some of these strategies here in Pittsburgh.
DONATIONS
Light of Life Mission. They meet the immediate needs of homeless men, women and children in Pittsburgh, including food, shelter, toiletries, and more. Find out more about them.
Operation Safety Net. A project of Pittsburgh Mercy, Operation Safety Net reaches out directly to people in encampments with medical and social services. Find out more about them.
Bridge Outreach. An outgrowth of a Point Park University program, Bridge Outreach operated in the encampments to coordinate services, including connecting people to substance abuse resources and treatment. Find out more about them.
HEARTH program. This program serves women with children who are experiencing housing insecurity due to domestic violence or trauma. Find out more about them.
OTHER ORGS
Reaching Out on the Streets, City of Pittsburgh Office of Community Health and Safety (ROOTS). ROOTS has both outreach and drop-in sites that connect unhoused people with resources such as human services, drug and alcohol treatment, housing, healthcare, behavioral health, and criminal legal navigation. More
Allegheny Link. This is the central starting point for all services pertaining to unhoused people in Allegheny County. More
Housing Authority, City of Pittsburgh, Emergency Housing Services. More
Articles on unhoused encampments
A month after the Second Avenue Commons fire: What’s next? (publicsource.org)
Allegheny County plans to house 500 unhoused people in 500 days (publicsource.org)
Strategies from Across the U.S.
Solutions to Homelessness on Trails – American Trails
Example of “Safe Sleeping” Strategy for Unhoused Communities
If you see incidents or conditions on the trail that concern you, we ask that you take the following actions:
If it involves an immediate threat to someone’s safety, please call 911.
If it involves conditions on or near the trail, please call 311.
