Residents displaced by the Second Avenue Commons fire will be relocated from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Allegheny County Department of Social Services provided an update on those displaced by the Second Avenue Commons fire that occurred a few weeks ago.

According to Erin Dalton, director of the Allegheny County Department of Social Services, earlier this week, residents were able to access the building and retrieve their belongings even as crews continue to work on cleaning and restoration.

“While we hope that restoration and rehabilitation efforts will allow at least some sections of the building to reopen sooner, we anticipate a delay of potentially several months before the entire building is fit for occupancy again,” he said. Dalton said. “We are working with all Second Avenue Commons partners to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.”

Dalton said about 120 to 130 people were staying in the temporary shelter at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and they were preparing to end the center's use as a shelter this week. However, other shelters in the area have reached out to offer shelter.

“Since the fire, other shelters have offered to offer additional capacity,” Dalton said. “Light of Life and Community Human Services were the two main shelters that made offers of beds, in addition to a handful of other vacancies in the shelter system. In total, 34 other shelter beds were placed available We have made offers to people at the Convention Center for these beds in the shelters and matching is underway to fill these slots.

It remains to find shelter for around a hundred people. They plan to transfer the remaining people at the convention center to the Family Links facility in Allentown.

The City of Pittsburgh Zoning Board adjustment also approved a property to become a bridge housing property and it is a former Vincentian property in Stanton Heights.

“DHS is currently working with Community Health Services to free up space for 52 new individuals at this property over the next few weeks,” Dalton said. “It is important to note that not all residents displaced from Second Avenue Commons will be eligible for one of these spaces, and some units may be allocated to individuals staying in other shelters that meet program requirements.”

Pittsburgh Mercy is still accepting donations and they can be made online at this link.