Amid bouts of chilly wind, icy rain and temperatures dipping into the 30s, several dozen people showed up at the steps of Downtown Pittsburgh’s Smithfield United Church of Christ this past week in need of a warm place to sleep. An average of 25 to 35 people who are homeless
Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA
The ongoing pandemic coupled with the arrival of winter this week is putting additional strain on people experiencing homelessness and the shelters that serve them.
Dr. Jim Withers, founder and medical director of Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net, said COVID-19 has been a disaster on top of a chronic disaster for people who live outside, especially during colder weather.
“COVID has been a tremendous stress on them not just as a direct health threat but also disrupting the services they depend upon, “ Withers said.
Withers said since shelters have had to reduce capacity due to the pandemic, access to health care, food and rehabilitation services has been impacted.
90.5 WESA s The Confluence for Tuesday, December 15, 2020
On today s program: We hear what’s next for Aurora since acquiring Uber’s self-driving branch; and the Pittsburgh Mercy President and CEO on what’s different about opening winter shelters this year for unhoused residents.
Aurora acquires self-driving technology to competitor, Uber ATG.
(0:00 - 8 :58)
Autonomous vehicle start-up Aurora is acquiring Uber’s self driving unit, Uber Advanced Technologies Group. Under the deal, Uber is reportedly giving up its equity in ATG, along with investing $400 million in Aurora in exchange for a 26 percent share in Aurora.
Gerardo Interiano, Vice President of Government Relations at Aurora’s Pittsburgh office, says the deal creates an opportunity for Aurora to become stronger.