Activists Set Up Tents Near Downtown Shelter to Protest Ongoing Encampment Closures

A homeless encampment outside Second Avenue Commons represents a troubling trend, as this site joins numerous others cleared since Pittsburgh formalized its policy two years ago. Advocates and outreach professionals argue that these closures obscure the underlying issues faced by a rising unhoused population. In response, activists from Our Streets Collective set up tents and provided meals to support those affected by an impending clearing announced following a Housing Advisory Board meeting on July 29. “This is a crisis response that fails to offer a sustainable solution,” stated Calla Kaineroi, executive director of Bridge to the Mountains. The Allegheny County Department of Human Services has asserted that the clearing was necessary for the safety and accessibility of shelter services. Amid efforts to relocate individuals, advocates highlight increasing frustration, as outreach efforts seem to focus on moving people rather than addressing their deeper needs. Since 2023, the unsheltered population has grown, raising eyebrows among community advocates and officials alike.