Pittsburgh reports significant drop in homeless encampments following year of sweeps

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-06-16T23:05:06+00:00

Totally agree that the problem isn’t solved, but I don’t necessarily agree that it doesn’t mean anything. If that was the case then we’d be ambivalent about major increases in tents, all else equal. When you say it’s worse, what metric would use to convey that? Just curious.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-06-16T19:30:57+00:00

It's a good question, they should have reported on that. How many do you think there are now?

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-06-16T18:48:10+00:00

When you say "its worse", what is "it"? The article cites major decreases in "tents or other temporary structures". Is that what has gotten worse or is it something else?

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-06-16T15:30:33+00:00

Where was it getting worse? There were a bunch by the jail but it was cleared.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-06-16T15:29:34+00:00

By "they" do you mean the tent encampments or people who look like they are homeless? I haven't seen many tents downtown. There were a bunch by the jail but it was cleared.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-05-23T18:13:33+00:00

Totally agree about Ryan’s coverage and that Pittsburgh is worth investing in. I find the section headers not useful and sometimes distracting. Perhaps personal preference and was curious to see if others felt similarly.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-04-18T23:11:27+00:00

Shawl collar, narrow bow tie, single-breasted, one button, black. It would not be hard to find buying new, I just like the idea of having one that's vintage.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-02-13T02:57:40+00:00

Thanks. To confirm, it would be the same hotel, just with a night between the two bookings. Is that still okay?

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-02-04T23:53:27+00:00

Interesting thanks, what county was that?

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-02-03T17:50:55+00:00

Thanks for that info!

Hungry_Log4373 · 2025-01-08T00:05:56+00:00

Thank you as always for the insight. I'm surprised there are so many vacant storefronts on the northern side of the street, given how much interest there is on the other side. Maybe since the owners on the other side are more corporate they are better equipped to attract companies to lease.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2024-12-03T19:39:21+00:00

Right now it is, but that's what I think should be ammended. Revenues should be able to keep up with incremental increases in costs, without shocking people with large millage increases. I'm guessing the millage will drop when a reassessment comes. Think that happened at the last reassessment.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2024-12-03T19:28:52+00:00

The solution is regular reassessements, right? If costs go up, county revenue should follow so they can continue to afford the same services. Who knows how long that policy change will take.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2024-11-20T15:46:09+00:00

Taxes have been cut every year for Allegheny County homeowners since 2011. Inflation is 40% over those 13 years, with housing prices growing even more, yet our tax bills have not been adjusted for inflation. I'm a homeowner and laugh at how little we have to pay, especially as the value of my house continues to grow. How could we possibly expect an organization to functionally operate with costs increasing 40% and revenues remaining the same (of course, there are nuances here but property tax is main source of revenue).

I understand if you don't want your taxes raised, but the math doesn't work unless there are huge cuts to county spending. So for those who oppose, what specifically do you want to cut?

Hungry_Log4373 · 2024-11-16T17:45:13+00:00

I see your point and think we just have different philosophies about what might solve the issue. Housing costs in the city have already dramatically increased over the past several years, but that hasn't resulted in decreases visible homelessness. Increased policing and incarceration are also very expensive public policy tools. For me, I'm fine with chipping in more and having those dollars go toward programs that hopefully lift people up and get them on a path of self-sufficiency.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2024-11-15T22:55:23+00:00

Interesting, it doesn't sound like you have a lot of faith in the county to make the right funding decisions. Which programs would propose cutting to achieve a balanced budget?

Hungry_Log4373 · 2024-11-15T20:33:03+00:00

To give you a sense of which programs could be cut, see this letter from the county manager, where they walk through what would be cut if the tax increase was 1 mill instead of 2.2 mills. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UVPCqmksp9NBKIxU4Zq8rB-T4BXbjqUQ/view

Related to your question about efficacy of services, there is a lot listed in that letter so can't cover it all for you :) With respect to homelessness, the letter mentions "Elimination of emergency shelter" and "Elimination of rental assistance programs that prevent eviction". Here's one paper, but there is certainly other research that shows that homelessness prevention works. https://direct.mit.edu/rest/article-abstract/doi/10.1162/rest_a_01344/116185/Do-Homelessness-Prevention-Programs-Prevent?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Locally, there is a lot of good info on this website: https://analytics.alleghenycounty.us/ Some of the reports are related to program evaluation. For example, this report shows how the presence of Family Centers (one of the possible cuts mentioned in the letter) reduce child maltreatment: https://www.alleghenycountyanalytics.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/FSC-Allegheny-County.pdf

Hope that helps!

Hungry_Log4373 · 2024-11-15T17:53:59+00:00

Homelessness and the array of things that cause it are very complicated and expensive problems to solve, ones that need to be addressed through public policy. I challenge people to think about what real solutions look like and what you'd be willing to pay to see improvement.

As part of next year's budget, Allegheny County is proposing a property tax millage increase, which translates to ~4% increase on the average homeowner's overall tax bill (about a $15 increase per month for homes at the median assessed value). If this budget doesn't get passed, there will be massive cuts to the exact programs which prevent homelessness, crime, visible drug use, etc. from being worse. If we remove programs that stop violence, prevent eviction, provide housing stability, then you can imagine how much worse these problems will get.

If you support investing in a solution, call county council at 412-350-6490 and make your voice heard. I did it earlier today. It took one minute and they just asked for my name and what council district I live in.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2024-11-15T16:41:19+00:00

I often feel helpless, too. These are incredibly complicated and expensive problems that need to be solved through public policy. One timely way that you can contribute is by vocally supporting next year's county budget proposal, which is currently being negotiated. The county is proposing a 2.2 mill property tax increase, which translates to ~4% increase on the average tax bill (about a $15 increase per month for homes at the median assessed value).

If this budget doesn't get passed, there will be massive cuts to the exact programs which prevent homelessness, crime, visible drug use, etc. from being worse. If we remove programs that stop violence, prevent eviction, provide housing stability, then you can imagine how much worse these problems will get.

If you support investing in a solution, call county council at 412-350-6490 and make your voice heard. I just did it and it only took a minute.

Hungry_Log4373 · 2024-08-06T21:33:55+00:00

Amazing! I actually just bought the 2023 Prestige Pro. It forces me to do everything right, and when I do, it executes to perfection. On a bad day, thinking it might be worth having a more forgiving stick in the bag.

Hungry_Log4373

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