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Homeless population in Allegheny County face crisis with increasing temperatures

ALLEGHENY COUNTY — In Allegheny County, more than 800 people are on the street without a home, and officials say that number is growing. Facing extreme heat like on Wednesday, those individuals with limited access to water and no shelter to cool off are at risk for medical emergencies.

“We’re raising the red flag and asking for help in the community,” said Jerrel Gilliam, the executive director of Light of Life Rescue Mission.

The growing homeless population throughout the county, combined with the extreme heat and a shortage of beds, has Gilliam worried.

“This is actually dangerous weather, and it’s life-threatening for a lot of people,” he said.

Gilliam added that with temperatures topping 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the homeless population is at risk.

“You tend to sweat more. You’re not drinking liquids, and then you are more vulnerable for emergencies,” said Gilliam.

Gilliam said the heat is only exaggerating an already worsening crisis in and around the city — the lack of beds for those seeking shelter. The county ran out of room in December.

“They had to ask other shelters to step up,” said Gilliam. “Light of Life Mission was one of them, so we added to our capacity at that time to help.”

Light of Life typically has 37 beds in their men’s emergency shelter. With the heat, that number has increased by 90%.

The organization utilizes any and every space it can.

“We will go out to the camps (and) drive around our city looking for people who are in need,” said Gilliam.

Understanding not everyone can fit inside, Light of Life takes to the streets, handing out water and snacks and transporting individuals to take showers.

“The issues of homelessness are complex,” said Gilliam, citing the opioid epidemic and increased isolation due to the pandemic as major factors.

Gilliam said that with the population growing, more women, children, young people and students have fallen victim to homelessness and that more help is needed.

“This is going to require community response; we need more beds,” he said.