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"Just in case" tiny house approval, a new Commission to serve young adults, and additional smart trash cans—City Council Week of August 25

City Council

Council passes homeless tiny house legislation they hope "gathers dust."

Pittsburgh would allow tiny house communities for unhoused residents under legislation council affirmed. It covers tiny houses only in managed temporary communities, not ones built for private use. For now, the city has no plans to build any, since recent county efforts are serving those needs. Still, council wanted the option in place in case the need arises.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Council affirmed legislation that would allow for tiny houses and other temporary communities for unhoused City residents.
  • This legislation only covers tiny houses built for "managed temporary communities" and not tiny houses built for individual use by private citizens.
  • Tiny house communities in other cities allow for people to have a place to stay that includes privacy (which is unavailable in shelter systems). They also allow for people to not have to leave during daytime hours like they typically have to in shelters.
  • Councilmembers Gross and Coghill first started working on the idea two years ago. The proposal was approved by the Planning Commission in January 2025 and received a public hearing this week.
  • The City currently has no plans to build any of these houses as recent County-level efforts are serving those needs. Council wanted the possibility to be in place, though, should the need arise in the future.
  • Councilmember Coghill said he hopes his own legislation “gathers dust” because of the County’s continued efforts.

City Council

Youth Council graduates: new Commission serves young adults.

Teens ages 14 to 18 have advised the city through its Youth Council since 2006. Council has now affirmed a separate 15-member Youth Commission for ages 19 to 30. Members, appointed by the mayor and approved by council, will tell city officials what young adults need. The Youth Council itself must now have at least one member from every council district.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Council affirmed a request to create a Youth Commission. Its duties include creating programming that addresses the needs of children, youth and families. It will also help inform City officials about the needs of the young adult demographic.
  • The Commission will consist of 15 people ages 19-30.
  • Members will include at least 2 college students, 1 young adult in an apprenticeship program, 2 immigrant and/or refugee youth, 1 justice-involved youth, and 1 Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh youth resident.
  • Members will be appointed by the Mayor and approved by Council. Preference will be given to people who have previously served, or are currently aging out of their service, on the Youth Council.
  • Members will serve 4-year terms.
  • The Commission is an outgrowth of the Youth Council, which was created in 2006. It consists of 15 members ages 14-18 (at the time of appointment). The Commission and the Youth Council will be two separate entities.
  • Council amended the Youth Council legislation so that each City Council district has at least one representative on the Youth Council as well as two members at large.
  • Members are selected through an open application process.
  • They serve one-year terms.
  • The Youth Council provides advice on the needs of the City’s young people. They also help plan and organize activities aimed at teenagers.
  • Both the Commission and the Youth Council will be required to provide written quarterly reports to the Mayor and City Council.
  • A coordinator—paid for by the City—will assist in the reports and other administrative duties.
  • Council also affirmed amendments to the LGBTQIA+ Commission calling for written quarterly reports and a paid coordinator.
  • The coordinator for all three entities will be an existing management-level City employee. They will not be funding a new position just for this purpose.

City Council

Councilmember Coghill trades postage budget for smart trash cans.

Pittsburgh residents always want to talk about city trash cans, one council member said. Now, another member has asked to move $9,000 from his office's postage budget to buy nine smart cans for his district. The cans alert public works when they're full. On Oct. 28, council will hold a meeting on litter.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Councilmember Coghill requested the transfer of $9,000 from his office’s postage budget to purchase 9 smart trash cans for his District (4).
  • The City installed its first 1,000 smart trash cans—that alert DPW when full—in 2019.
  • The prevalence of litter is a charged topic for Council. There will be a Post Agenda Meeting on the subject on October 28.
  • Councilmember Gross noted that Pittsburgh residents “always” want to talk about City trash cans with members of Council.