Allegheny County Continuum of Care

The Allegheny County Continuum of Care (CoC) is the wide array of housing options and services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including: shelter, housing and supportive services*; outreach, engagement and assessment; and prevention strategies. The CoC also refers to the diverse group of individuals who comprise the community-based, homeless-assistance, program-planning network supporting Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, the City of McKeesport and the Municipality of Penn Hills. 

The Allegheny County CoC relies on the Homeless Advisory Board (HAB) to act on its behalf. Utilizing the expertise of its members, the HAB is responsible for planning, coordinating and operating a system within Allegheny County that meets the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Members of the HAB represent individuals who are homeless/formerly homeless, service agencies, planning and advocacy bodies, and funders.

Four standing committees support the work of the HAB to supply advisory guidance and carry out its responsibilities. Ad hoc committees are convened to carry out special initiatives that can best be accomplished by focused efforts. Each HAB committee has two co-chairs, one representing the CoC-at-large (appointed by the HAB Executive Committee) and one HAB member. Co-chairs are responsible for setting the direction and agenda for the committee in accordance with HAB priorities and ensuring the correct membership mix is available for committee work.

The Allegheny County CoC Governance Charter(PDF, 509KB) summarizes the responsibilities and authorities for operation and governance of the Allegheny County CoC under the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act (HEARTH Act).

Membership

Membership in the Allegheny County CoC is open to any individual interested in contributing to and productively shaping the delivery of homeless services. Continuum of Care members must annually attend at least one recognized meeting of the CoC (which includes CoC meetings or HAB committee meetings) and provide basic contact information.

Any member of the CoC can serve on a HAB committee. Every HAB committee has one co-chair who is a CoC member.

Each November, the HAB invites CoC members to join the HAB. Interested individuals may complete a nomination form for themselves or another person. Nominations are first screened by the HAB Executive Committee and the slate of proposed members is then voted on by the full HAB at the subsequent January meeting.

To become a CoC member, please contact Hilary Scherer at 412-350-4938.

• Current HAB Membership and Committee Leadership
• CoC/HAB Meeting Schedule
• Meeting Minutes
• Planning Documents

Community Strategic Planning Process

In late 2024, DHS and the HAB launched a planning process to develop a Strategic Improvement Plan to guide and strengthen the community's homelessness response system. Between October 2024 and November 2025, more than 200 individuals contributed to this planning process through focus groups, interviews, site visits, meetings with many different organizations, input sessions, frontline listening sessions, committee and subcommittee meetings, and a survey.

These perspectives, combined with quantitative system data and national best practices, are shaping the priorities and strategics for the plan. The plan is intended to build upon current strengths within Allegheny County's homelessness response system, and to identify and prioritize the most important improvement opportunities for the community's efforts to prevent and end homelessness, to be implemented over a five-year period from 2026 through 2030. 

The plan is expected to be finalized and adopted by the HAB in spring 2026. Please check back soon for updates.

Reports

Allegheny County Analytics: Homelessness
A range of research and analysis has been done related to homelessness in Allegheny County.

Homeless Services Plans

DHS supports the Allegheny County CoC as the Infrastructure Organization (IO) by taking on day-to-day and operational responsibilities. In addition, DHS is committed to serving the needs of those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness across the department’s multiple program offices.
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Homeless Housing Programs

Rapid Rehousing

This program helps people move from homelessness to permanent housing in the community through housing search assistance, rental assistance, and service coordination.

Transitional and Bridge Housing

These programs help individuals and families with housing for up to 24 months.  Each program offers additional services to help participants become more independent. Occupancy fees are based on a sliding scale.

PennFree Bridge Housing

This program helps individuals and families who are homeless and for whom alcohol and/or drug addiction were/are factors in their ability to maintain housing.

This program is available for individuals with disabilities, for families with a family member with a disability, and individuals who would otherwise be living on the street (chronic street homeless). Residents may remain as long as necessary. Each program offers additional services to help participants become more independent. Occupancy fees are based on a sliding scale. 

Supportive Housing

This program is available for individuals with disabilities, for families with a family member with a disability, and individuals who would otherwise be living on the street (chronic street homeless). Residents may remain as long as necessary. Each program offers additional services to help participants become more independent. Occupancy fees are based on a sliding scale.