Operation Safety Net opening winter shelters for Allegheny County's homeless population

A Pittsburgh nonprofit community health and wellness provider plans to open two shelters for homeless people in Allegheny County this winter.

Pittsburgh Mercy’s award-winning outreach program, Operation Safety Net, will open the shelters on Sunday, Nov. 15.

They will be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven days a week.

The men’s shelter will be located at Smithfield United Church of Christ, at 620 Smithfield St. in Pittsburgh’s Downtown. The women’s shelter will be at Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship & Veterans Home, at 13 Pride St. in the city’s Uptown neighborhood.

They will remain open through at least March 15 .

If a person is in need of services, coordinators ask that they come directly to the shelters during operating hours.

Both shelters will adhere to covid-19 guidance and safety protocols set by federal and local health officials. For everyone’s safety, only individuals served, shelter staff and clinical volunteers will be allowed inside the shelters.

Individuals served will have access to pre-packaged meals as well as shower and laundry facilities.

Other services, such as housing and behavioral health, will take place remotely via videoconference.

Brian Matous, supervisor for Operation Safety Net, said the coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed the way the shelters operate.

The shelters have had to reduce their capacity by 60%. Face masks will be required, and there will be temperature checks, Matous said.

“We do think it will be difficult because so much of what we do in our shelters includes relationship and trust building through some of the toughest times in people’s lives,” Matous said.

“Because of this global pandemic and our reduced capacity we are asking for our communities to be patient with us,” Matous said. “New processes and procedures have been made with safety at the forefront of every effort.”

Shelter coordinators are accepting monetary and in-kind donations, such as winter clothing and personal hygiene kits.

Monetary donations can be made through Pittsburgh Mercy’s website and by mailing checks to its North Shore location at 1200 Reedsdale St.

Checks should be made payable to “Pittsburgh Mercy.” Note “Winter Shelters” on the memo line.

People who want to make in-kind donations are asked to make an appointment and not bring items to the shelters because of covid-19.

Appointments can be made by calling Maura Wallace or Caitlin O’Brien at 412-232-5739.

Needed items include hats, scarves, gloves, boots, socks, winter coats and personal hygiene kits.