Family Promise House, a homeless facility in Brackenridge, plans grand opening

A Brackenridge center that offers short-term housing to people in need will celebrate its grand opening in July.

Family Promise House, an initiative of the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, will have an open house July 10.

All are welcome to tour the site at 903 Morgan St.

“There are always families waiting for space, so I’m sure it won’t be long before we’ll be hosting,” said Karen Snair, the association of churches’ executive director.

A second open house will be held the following day.

In 2021, the Brackenridge zoning hearing board approved the project, which transformed the former Applewood Personal Care Home into a homeless facility.

Snair said only families with children, and no more than 30 people at one time, will live at the center.

In lobbying for the zoning board’s approval, the association of churches leaders said homelessness goes beyond stereotypes.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, just over 12% of the American population lives in poverty. That’s more than one in every nine people and one in six children.

Snair said many people who earn a wage above the poverty line can’t afford basic necessities.

Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser said it’s important to find “local solutions to local problems.”

“I’m glad to see the community addressing housing insecurity and grateful to everyone who has been involved with this work and this mission,” Fraser said.

For several months, contractors have been remodeling the building.

“We’ve added a telehealth room, a computer lab and a meeting room,” Snair said. “We’ve upgraded the restrooms and freshened the bedrooms with paint. All new beds and mattresses have been purchased.”

Work also included lighting and electrical upgrades throughout the building and new play spaces for children. The hair salon was converted into a laundry room.

The Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, founded in 1958, has been providing temporary housing and support programs for families for nearly 30 years, mostly within its member churches.

Snair said the program has an 85% success rate of transitioning people to permanent housing.

She is currently in the process of hiring three to four staff members for the new property. There will be 24-hour supervision and security at night.

There will be volunteer opportunities for interested community members to provide meals, tutoring and special activities for children.

There currently are two families being provided temporary housing through the association of churches, so Snair said it is possible the new facility could have immediate tenants.

“We are unsure of when they will be moving on to permanent housing,” she said. “It is possible both families could be moving in upon opening, or that they won’t need it.”

Reservations for the open house are requested but not required. Call 724-226-0606, ext. 10.