Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter, & Winter Shelter at Second Avenue Commons
Second Avenue Commons, which opened November 22, 2022, is an innovative, 92-bed year-round, low-barrier shelter, daytime engagement center, and primary care clinic for adults experiencing homelessness. Pittsburgh Mercy, one of the region’s largest social service nonprofit organizations, and Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net, one of the most experienced homeless service providers with more than 30 years of service, are pleased to have been selected by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services to operate the shelter and the engagement center. UPMC operates the Second Avenue Commons Health Center.
Come as you are … Come alone or as a couple … Come with your pet.* At the Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons and Pittsburgh Mercy Engagement Center, we welcome you. We’re here for you. We’ll meet you where you are. We’ll listen to you – and to your wants, needs, and hopes for the future. (*Dogs and cats.)
Your present experience with homelessness does not define you, now or in the future. We’ll walk alongside you, support you, and empower you in your journey to well-being. Let’s take that first step together.
Want to help? Check out our wish list on Amazon.
Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons
Location
Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons
700 Second Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Contact Us
Phone: 412-775-9001
Email: info@secondavenuecommons.org
People We Serve
Adults 18+ years*
- Persons who self-identify as women or men
- Members of the LGBTQ+ communities
- Couples
- People with partners
- People with pets.ǂ
*Persons under the age of 18 will be referred to providers who serve youth experiencing homelessness.
ǂ Dogs and cats, one per person. Please refer to the pet policy.
Emergency Shelter Hours
Pittsburgh Mercy’s Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons is open every day. Bed availability at the Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons varies. We encourage you to come in person and speak to our team about what services are currently available. The Shelter is often at capacity. If our emergency shelter is at capacity, we will work with individuals to refer them to other emergency shelters in Allegheny County.
Emergency Shelter Services
- Intake assessments
- Housing-focused case management services
- Housing diversion and supportive services
- Connections and linkages to essential health and social services
- Allegheny Link, the primary entry point to connect individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness to available resources
- Physical health & primary care services
- Crisis diversion services
- Housing programs
- Mental health services
- Substance use treatment services
- I.D. cards and other documents
- Social Security, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other public benefits and entitlements
- Utility assistance programs
- Training & employment services
- Transportation assistance programs
- Client Leadership Group
- Meals: Two meals daily
- Breakfast: 8 to 9 a.m.
- Dinner: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Hygiene kits
- Showers
- 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Medication delivery
- Quiet hours
- 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily
- Curfew
- 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily
- Washers and dryers to do your laundry
- Wi-Fi.
Shelter Access
Ready to take that first step? Walk in or call us at 412-775-9001.
Client Leadership Group
Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons guests and Pittsburgh Mercy Engagement Center visitors are invited to participate in the Client Leadership Group. The Client Leadership Group is made up of Shelter guests and Engagement Center visitors who will:
- Work in partnership with Shelter and Engagement Center staff
- Ensure equitable and inclusive representation and practices
- Represent guest and visitor voices in client experience
- Assist with guest relations and satisfaction
- Choose programming. We welcome your ideas and feedback around the programs you find meaningful and would like to attend.
Contact the Client Experience & Community Partnership Coordinator.
Policy Summaries
Policies are summarized below. Complete policies are published in the handbook distributed to Shelter guests.
Safety
- Guests will sign-in at entry and exit.
- Guests will wear a Shelter-issued ID badge.
- For the safety of guests and staff, drugs, alcohol, paraphernalia, and weapons are not permitted in the shelter beyond the amnesty lockers.
- Household chemicals, extension cords, power strips, cooking supplies, and stuffed animals are not permitted.
Pets
- Dogs and cats are welcome. One per person. For the safety of Shelter guests and staff, wild, exotic, feral, and/or poisonous animals are not permitted.
- Pets must be bathed by the pet owner upon entry.
- Pet owners are responsible for pets and pet care. Shelter guests will care for, supervise, and manage their pets at all times while in the Shelter.
- Pets must be up to date with vaccinations. Unvaccinated pets (or whose vaccination status is unknown) will be quarantined, kept with their owner, and crated until after vaccination.
- For the safety of guests and colleagues, pets must be pest-free, collared, leashed, or crated. When on the premises and not crated, pets must be muzzled.
- Pets must be crated while their owner is sleeping.
- Water, food, bowls, bathing supplies, flea and tick collars, collars, leashes, crates, pet waste bags, and litter boxes will be provided.
COVID-19 Protocols
Shelter guests will:
- Be tested for COVID-19 according to guidance from the Allegheny County Health Department.
- Self-report COVID-19 symptoms to Shelter staff.
- Follow Allegheny County Health Department, Pittsburgh Mercy, and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidance for wearing masks, physical distance, COVID-19 testing, isolation, and quarantine.
Pittsburgh Mercy Winter Shelter at Second Avenue Commons
7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
November 15 through March 15
Location
Second Avenue Commons
700 Second Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
The Pittsburgh Mercy Winter Overflow Shelter at Second Avenue Commons this year will start with capacity for up to 10 adult guests who have mobility issues, are unsheltered, experiencing homelessness, and need a warm, safe place to stay and meals. Breakfast is served at 7 a.m. Dinner is served at 7:30 p.m.
Walk in or call us at 412-775-9001.
If the Winter Shelter reaches capacity, we will work with individuals to refer them to other homeless service providers in Allegheny County who offer emergency shelter services.
Updated: November 7, 2025
Other Important Information
Additional information is published in the handbook that is distributed to guests.
Visitor Rights
Pittsburgh Mercy does not discriminate in the provision of services on the basis of age, race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, handicap, gender identity, or religion.
Privacy
- Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons guests and Pittsburgh Mercy Engagement Center visitors must adhere to the confidentiality policy of Pittsburgh Mercy.
- Shelter guests are not permitted to disclose any information (such as, but not limited to names, employment, health conditions, etc.) pertaining to any other guests.
- Shelter guests are not permitted to have visitors on the Shelter floor.
- Information contained in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is secure and confidential.
- To protect the privacy of others using Second Avenue Commons facilities, Emergency Shelter guests and Engagement Center visitors are prohibited from taking photos or recording audio or video on smartphones or other devices. This includes selfies, social media, and video and audio sharing products and apps. Shelter guests and Engagement Center visitors will have access to private space for video and audio calls.
- Information that you share with staff cannot be shared outside of our organization without your written consent (or that of your legal guardian). Exceptions include:
- Intent to harm yourself or others.
- Abuse of a child or a vulnerable adult.
- Contract monitoring: Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) have the right to request participant records to ensure you are receiving quality care while participating in our programs.
Grievances
As a Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons guest and/or Pittsburgh Mercy Engagement Center visitor, you have the right to tell us if you think you have been treated unjustly, unfairly, or if you feel unsafe. This is known as a grievance.
- If you have a grievance, we encourage you to discuss it first with the staff you are working with.
- Dissatisfaction with services can also be addressed through the Client Leadership Group through the Client Experience & Community Partnership Coordinator.
- If not resolved to your satisfaction, please complete a grievance form. The grievance forms are located in the Second Avenue Commons Welcome Center on the first floor, next to the elevator.
- Guests and visitors may also call the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Director’s Action Line at 1-800-862-6783, text “Action” to 412-324-3388, or complete a brief online form.
Termination of Services
- Voluntary Discharge: Pittsburgh Mercy Shelter at Second Avenue Commons guests have the right to leave the program voluntarily at any time.
- Involuntary Discharge: Shelter guests and visitors and Engagement Center visitors who pose a significant threat to their own safety and well-being or to that of others will be asked to leave the premises and referred to other shelters. For more information, please refer to the Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter at Second Avenue Commons and Pittsburgh Mercy Engagement Center Handbook.
Donate, Volunteer, & Engage
Whether donating clothing, meals, grab-and-go food/snack items, hygiene kits, pet food and supplies, other gifts in-kind, your time, or making a monetary donation, there are so many ways you can make an impact and help guests and visitors to Second Avenue Commons. We invite you to partner with us and support the Pittsburgh Mercy Emergency Shelter and Engagement Center at Second Avenue Commons.
In-Kind Donations
Pittsburgh Mercy welcomes in-kind donations for people and pets. Please do not bring donations directly to Second Avenue Commons. Storage space there is limited. Please reach out to development@pittsburghmercy.org to schedule an appointment for delivery.
The items most requested and needed by persons we serve include:
For People
We prefer new items. We will also accept gently used.
- Boots
- Coats
- Gloves
- Handwarmers
- Jeans
- Leggings
- Sneakers
- Sweatpants
- Thermal underwear
- T-shirts
- Winter hats.
Check out our wish list on Amazon.
Items are distributed at Second Avenue Commons and during street medicine and outreach rounds by Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net.
For Pets
- Dog and cat crates
- Dog and cat food
- Flea and tick collars
- Leashes
- Pet bathing supplies (shampoo, nail clippers, brushes, combs, and towels)
- Treats
- Toys.
Volunteer & Engagement Opportunities
Individuals, civic groups, corporate volunteer groups, faith communities, and others who would like to volunteer are welcome and encouraged. Current opportunities include:
- Providing meals
- Serving meals
- Organizing large and small group activities (e.g., games, craft activities, karaoke, music, movie nights, or other entertainment)
- Providing services (e.g., haircuts).
If you’re interested, please complete our volunteer opportunities form or reach out to development@pittsburghmercy.org.
Monetary Donations
Monetary donations in support of Pittsburgh Mercy’s services for persons who are experiencing homelessness continue to be welcome.
Gifts in any amount are appreciated.
For More Information
For more information about the other services that are available at Second Avenue Commons, please visit the Second Avenue Commons website, call 412-775-9001, or email info@secondavenuecommons.org.
UPMC Second Avenue Commons Health Center
Location
UPMC Second Avenue Commons Health Center
700 Second Avenue, First Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Contact Us
Phone: 412-232-7544
Health Center Hours
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Appointments and walk-ins are accepted. Serves everyone, regardless of insurance.
Health Center Services
- Behavioral health assessment, treatment, and linkages to care
- Clothing and shoes
- Foot care
- Gynecologic care
- Harm reduction supplies
- Hepatitis C screening & treatment
- Over-the-counter and prescription medications
- Personal hygiene items
- STI screening & treatment
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Treatment of acute medical conditions related to skin, urinary, respiratory infections, etc.
- Treatment of chronic medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and COPD
- Wound care, minor injuries, and suturing
Referrals are not required but are encouraged.
IMPORTANT!
- If you are having a medical emergency: Please do not wait. Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
- If you are experiencing a mental health crisis: Please do not wait. Call:
- resolve Crisis Services at 1-888-7-YOU-CAN (1-888-796-8226) or
- Call the or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7.