City Council
Council passes homeless tiny house legislation they hope "gathers dust."
Pittsburgh would allow tiny house communities for unhoused residents under legislation council affirmed. It covers tiny houses only in managed temporary communities, not ones built for private use. For now, the city has no plans to build any, since recent county efforts are serving those needs. Still, council wanted the option in place in case the need arises.
Written by Amy Whipple
- Council affirmed legislation that would allow for tiny houses and other temporary communities for unhoused City residents.
- This legislation only covers tiny houses built for "managed temporary communities" and not tiny houses built for individual use by private citizens.
- Tiny house communities in other cities allow for people to have a place to stay that includes privacy (which is unavailable in shelter systems). They also allow for people to not have to leave during daytime hours like they typically have to in shelters.
- Councilmembers Gross and Coghill first started working on the idea two years ago. The proposal was approved by the Planning Commission in January 2025 and received a public hearing this week.
- The City currently has no plans to build any of these houses as recent County-level efforts are serving those needs. Council wanted the possibility to be in place, though, should the need arise in the future.
- Councilmember Coghill said he hopes his own legislation “gathers dust” because of the County’s continued efforts.
Connections to this story
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- Shelter and outreach for unhoused residents
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