Tempers Flare as Stanton Heights Looks to House Homeless Near Schools, Sex Offenders Allowed

Concerns with the possibility of housing registered sex offenders at the location came up several times.

By Bobby Harr

Stanton Heights Neighborhood Association held its first meeting of the year on Monday to discuss plans to house homeless people in the vacant Vincentian de Marillac Nursing Home on Stanton Ave. The project would lodge 50-56 individuals on rotation in transitional housing.

Many residents expressed safety concerns with the project at the meeting, particularly regarding children and school proximity. The building is near two schools, The Neighborhood Academy and Sunnyside PreK-8.

"You have a school with kinder-aged children that you don't care about because you'd rather put a transition place right there with access to the school." said one woman.

The Vincentian de Marillac Nursing Home on Stanton Ave closed last spring and has since been empty.

According to a flyer for the proposal, participants will be eligible for 3-6 months of temporary housing and supportive services that will aid them in transitioning to independent housing and employment.

Community Human Services, leading the project in collaboration with county DHS, says there will be round-the-clock camera surveillance, limited visiting hours, and no overnight guests.

Eligibility for housing is determined by a lower vulnerability score as measured by Allegheny County's assessment tool. Other requirements include stability in a shelter system for at least 30 days, a high interest in gaining employment, income, and independent housing quickly.

Funding for the project would come through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Residents will be required to follow CHS codes of conduct. But when asked what the codes of conduct were, CEO Alicia Romano said they still needed to write them and could not provide specifics.

Concerns with the possibility of housing registered sex offenders at the location came up several times. According to Alicia Romano, CEO of Community Human Services, registered sex offenders are permitted.

"We do not deny housing for folks who are on Megan's Law," said Romano.

Pennsylvania's Megan's Law does not restrict where an offender may live.

Neighbors also expressed concerns that Community Human Services will only have three employees to handle 50 or more residents.

"Having three staff members on the premises who are not trained security guards doesn't seem to be giving any illusion of security, let alone actual security," said one man.

Dean Owrey, President and CEO of Vincentian, says the project is still only a concept.

"To be clear, we have not put one pencil or word in a contract. We are talking about a concept." Owrey said.

Bobby Harr is the founder of Eyes on PGH, a citizen journalism project based in Pittsburgh, PA. Send story tips to bobbyharrpgh@gmail.com.