DHS Announces Comprehensive Winter Shelter Plans
Published on November 03, 2025
PITTSBURGH – With the winter season approaching, Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) is announcing its plan to ensure that people experiencing homelessness have a safe place to go, day or night. Today, Erin Dalton, Director of DHS, announced a comprehensive winter shelter plan that will add capacity, continue extended service hours, and provide essential resources to help people stay safe during the coldest months.
DHS’s winter shelter plan, which will be in effect from November 15, 2025 to April 30, 2026, includes a network of providers and facilities across the county, bringing total shelter capacity for single adults to over 600 beds. This network of shelters will provide overnight and daytime accommodation, hot meals, and access to critical support services such as medical care, counseling, and case management.
“I’m pleased that again, this year, shelter and daytime supports will be open every day, all winter in Allegheny County, ensuring the nobody has to spend a night out in the cold,” said Erin Dalton, DHS Director.
Highlights of the 2025 winter shelter plan include:
Second Avenue Commons (2AC) Continues Extended Daytime Hours: The 2AC Engagement Center will continue to operate as it has since last October with expanded daytime hours of 7:00AM - 7:00PM, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.
Anyone in need of help can drop-in to the 2AC location on any day. Several other locations are also available during the daytime to support people experiencing homelessness. For a full list of the county’s drop-in & engagement centers, visit: connect.alleghenycounty.us/shelter
Winter Shelter: On November 15th, DHS will open a winter shelter in partnership with Northside Partnership Project and Community Family Advocates. Located at the Community Resource Mall at 2610 Maple Avenue, this program will have sufficient capacity to shelter anyone who needs a safe place to stay this winter. Free transportation to the Winter Shelter will be available each evening from Second Avenue Commons, making it easier for individuals to access services. Return transportation each morning to Second Avenue Commons will also be available.
Increased Capacity within Existing Shelter System: In addition to the 140 beds at Winter Shelter, DHS will open 52 additional beds on November 15th at Salvation Army and East End Cooperative Ministry, along with a small number of beds at 2AC for people with mobility challenges. The 2AC Overflow Shelter will expand to a total of 40 beds in the future as community need and weather conditions necessitate. DHS will work closely with partners to determine the appropriate opening date of these additional beds.
Locations opening November 15th include:
- Salvation Army Women’s Winter Overflow Shelter (20 beds)
- East End Cooperative Ministry Winter Overflow Shelter (32 beds)
- Second Avenue Commons Overflow Shelter (small number of beds for people with mobility challenges)
Location expanding later this winter at a date to be determined:
- Second Avenue Commons Overflow Shelter (40 beds)
For a full list of the county’s shelter locations for single adults, visit: connect.alleghenycounty.us/shelter
These resources are for adults. In Allegheny County, there are family shelters available, and no family should ever stay outside. To access family shelters, please contact the Allegheny LINK at 1-866-730-2368.
DHS encourages anyone in need of shelter or housing assistance to reach out and take advantage of the available resources including:
Allegheny LINK
In Person at 1 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM
By Phone at 1-866-730-2368
Second Avenue Commons (Pets are Welcome)
In Person at 700 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
By Phone at 412-775-9001
Media inquiries may be directed to the Communications Office.
For contact information, including email addresses and telephone numbers, visit the office website.