PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh is preparing to expand its ROOTS street outreach program after receiving up to $800,000 from the Allegheny County Department of Human Services for housing-focused support services.
The Office of Community Health and Safety program, formally known as Reaching Out On the Streets, works with people who are homeless or experiencing housing instability. Its interdisciplinary zone teams connect residents with human services, substance-use treatment, housing resources, health care, behavioral health support and criminal legal navigation.
Mayor Corey O’Connor said the county funding will help the city broaden the reach and impact of ROOTS. The city said the award will support six new full-time employees and four part-time employees, allowing the team to expand coverage to seven days a week, including evenings and weekends.
City officials said the added staffing is intended to help outreach workers respond faster when people need shelter, housing or health-care navigation. The county selected ROOTS through a competitive solicitation designed to strengthen housing-focused street outreach across Allegheny County.
The funding package is also expected to cover operational supplies and vehicles. Those resources may include hygiene items, wound-care supplies, basic clothing needs, transportation support, cold-weather gear and vehicles for outreach response.
The Pittsburgh Times
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Pittsburgh, PA
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