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Untested Sexual Assault Kits to Be Processed, 2024 Shelter Contract Delayed another 5 Weeks - City Council Week of April 14

Updates

City Council

Untested Sexual Assault Kits to Be Processed.

Police have identified untested sexual assault kits tied to backlogged cases. Now, council has unanimously advanced a request for $37,000 from a 2023 grant, mostly for detective overtime on those cases. The request also sets aside $1,000 for a soft interview room for victims. Still, the number of untested kits wasn't mentioned.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • The Department of Public Safety requested $37,000 from a previously awarded 2023 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Grant.
  • Funds will primarily support overtime for City detectives investigating backlogged sexual assault cases.
  • The Bureau has already identified untested kits using previous grant funds.
  • The number of untested kits, or whether the funds would be sufficient to test them, was not mentioned. Informup reached out to the Department for specifics, but we have not received a response by the time of publication.
  • Additional work will include pulling kits, writing reports, transporting kits to the Crime Lab, and any follow‑up investigations.
  • $1,000 will be allocated to create a soft interview room for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
  • Current rooms are designed for interviewing suspects and are not conducive to victims sharing difficult personal experiences.
  • The request received a unanimous affirmative recommendation.

City Council

Proposed July 2024 Contract for Shelter Services Held Another Five Weeks.

A $1.5 million shelter services contract with Auberle has sat in committee since July 2024. It's fully funded by a federal program meant to reduce homelessness. Now, a council member said a federal housing official has reviewed an updated proposal giving preference to homeless families. Still, the amendment process includes a public hearing that hasn't been scheduled.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • The $1,500,000 contract with Auberle—a long‑established local social services provider—has been held in committee since July 2024.
  • The contract will be fully funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME‑ARP) program, designed to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability.
  • Funds may be used for private units, temporary shelter, and costs associated with acquisition, new construction, or rehabilitation of existing structures.
  • Councilmember Wilson updated Council that a HUD representative has reviewed an updated proposal giving preference to homeless families. A meeting with Urban Design Ventures is scheduled for April 17 to plan the amendment process, which will include a yet to be scheduled public hearing.

City Council

Council Reopens Discussion of the Process to Purchase City Property After a Rescinded Sale.

Buying property from the City usually takes 12 to 18 months, sometimes up to two years. A resident who bought a City house in 2022 asked to cancel the sale, saying it deteriorated during the process. A council member raised concerns about the long process and the lack of property stabilization. Council approved a refund of the buyer's deposit, but no next steps were proposed.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • A resident who purchased a $40,000 house through the City’s Real Estate Division in 2022 requested to rescind the sale and receive a refund of the required 10% earnest money.
  • The purchaser claims the house deteriorated during the sale process.
  • The sale process—which includes a quiet title lawsuit—typically takes 12–18 months but can extend to 24 months.
  • Properties sold by the City are primarily vacant lots acquired through sheriff’s sales.
  • Buyers must be approved by the City, and sales must be approved by Council.
  • Councilmember Coghill expressed concern about the length of the process and the lack of property stabilization.
  • The refund was approved with no next steps proposed.