Pittsburgh City Council passes resolution declaring homelessness a public health emergency

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Three Pittsburgh City Council members introduced a resolution Tuesday to declare a surge in homelessness and homeless encampments a public health emergency.

That would give the Gainey administration two weeks to come up with proposals to address the problem and offer temporary but immediate policies — until more permanent solutions are found.

“What we’re doing to our poor and homeless people is abhorrent, and I think we have the money, we have the resources to do what we need to do,” Pittsburgh City Council President Theresa Cale Smith said.

The ordinance also directs city departments to find about 40 parcels of land to be used for shelters and affordable housing.