EMERGENCY SHELTER AND ENGAGEMENT CENTER
Second Avenue Commons, which opened November 22, 2022, is an innovative, 92-bed year-round, low-barrier shelter, daytime engagement center, and primary care clinic for adults experiencing homelessness. Pittsburgh Mercy, one of the region’s largest social service nonprofit organizations, and Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net®, one of the most experienced homeless service providers with more than 30 years of service, are pleased to have been selected by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services to operate the shelter and the engagement center. UPMC operates the Second Avenue Commons Health Center.
Come as you are…
Come alone or with your partner…
Come with your pet*…
At the Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons and Pittsburgh Mercy Engagement Center, we welcome you.
We’re here for you. We’ll meet you where you are. We’ll listen to you – and to your wants, needs, and hopes for the future. (*Dogs and cats.)
Your present experience with homelessness does not define you, now or in the future. We’ll walk
alongside you, support you, and empower you in your journey to well-being. Let’s take that first
step together.
People We Serve
- Adults 18+ years*
- Persons who self-identify as women or men
- Members of the LGBTQ+ communities.
- Couples
- People with partners.
- People with pets.ǂ
*Persons under the age of 18 will be referred to providers who serve youth experiencing homelessness.
ǂ Dogs and cats, one per person. View our pet policy.
Emergency Shelter Hours
Pittsburgh Mercy’s Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons is open every day. Bed availability at the Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons varies. We encourage you to come in person and speak to our team about what services are currently available. The Shelter is often at capacity. We will work with individuals to refer them to other homeless service providers in Allegheny County who offer emergency shelter services.
Engagement Center Location
Pittsburgh Mercy Engagement Center at Second Avenue Commons
700 Second Avenue, First Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Engagement Center Hours
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday through Sunday
Contact Us
Phone: 412-775-9001
Email: info@secondavenuecommons.org
Emergency Shelter services
- Intake assessments
- Housing-focused case management services
- Housing diversion and supportive services
- Connections and linkages to essential health and social services:
- Allegheny Link, the primary entry point to connect individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness to available resources
- Physical health & primary care services
- Crisis diversion services
- Housing programs
- Mental health services
- Substance use treatment services
- I.D. cards and other documents
- Social Security, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other public benefits and entitlements
- Utility assistance programs
- Training & employment services
- Transportation assistance programs
- Client Leadership Group
- Meals: Two meals daily
- Hygiene kits
- Showers
- Medication delivery
- Quiet hours
- Curfew
- Washers and dryers to do your laundry
- Wi-Fi.
Shelter access
Ready to take that first step? Walk in or call us at 412-775-9001.
Engagement Center services
Services are free to Engagement Center visitors.
- Charging stations
- Coffee
- Computer access
- Connections and linkages to other essential services:
- Allegheny Link
- Physical health & primary care services
- Crisis diversion services
- Mental health services
- Substance use treatment services
- I.D. cards
- Social Security, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), utility assistance, and other public benefits.
- Grab-and-go lunches: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Housing & supportive services, including housing navigation assistance and homelessness prevention services
- Hygiene kits
- Laundry (washers and dryers are available for Engagement Center visitors to use)
- Light snacks
- Mail services
- Showers (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday)
- Wi-Fi
Engagement Center access
Walk in or call us at 412-775-9001 from 9am to 5pm weekdays. For other inquires, please contact us.
Client Leadership Group
Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons guests and Pittsburgh Mercy Engagement Center visitors are invited to participate in the Client Leadership Group. The Client Leadership Group is made up of Shelter guests and Engagement Center visitors who will:
- Work in partnership with Shelter and Engagement Center staff
- Ensure equitable and inclusive representation and practices
- Represent guest and visitor voices in client experience
- Assist with guest relations and satisfaction
- Choose programming. We welcome your ideas and feedback around the programs you find meaningful and would like to attend.
Call 412-775-9001 to contact the Client Experience & Community Partnership Coordinator.
Engagement Center policies
Policies are summarized below. Complete policies are published in the handbook distributed to Shelter guests.
Safety policy
- Guests will sign-in at entry and exit.
- Guests will wear a Shelter-issued ID badge.
- For the safety of guests and staff, drugs, alcohol, paraphernalia, and weapons are not permitted in the shelter beyond the amnesty lockers.
- Household chemicals, extension cords, power strips, cooking supplies, and stuffed animals are not permitted.
COVID-19 Protocols
Shelter guests will:
- Be tested for COVID-19 according to guidance from the Allegheny County Health Department.
- Self-report COVID-19 symptoms to Shelter staff.
- Follow Allegheny County Health Department, Pittsburgh Mercy, and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidance for wearing masks, physical distance, COVID-19 testing, isolation, and quarantine.
PETS
- Dogs and cats are welcome. One per person. For the safety of Shelter guests and staff, wild, exotic, feral, and/or poisonous animals are not permitted.
- Pets must be bathed by the pet owner upon entry.
- Pet owners are responsible for pets and pet care. Shelter guests will care for, supervise, and manage their pets at all times while in the Shelter.
- Pets must be up to date with vaccinations. Unvaccinated pets (or whose vaccination status is unknown) will be quarantined, kept with their owner, and crated until after vaccination.
- For the safety of guests and colleagues, pets must be pest-free, collared, leashed, or crated. When on the premises and not crated, pets must be muzzled.
- Pets must be crated while their owner is sleeping.
- Water, food, bowls, bathing supplies, flea and tick collars, collars, leashes, crates, pet waste bags, and litter boxes will be provided.
700 Second Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15219
412-775-9001
info@secondavenuecommons.org
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