On the morning of September 9, a devastating four-alarm fire tore through a Forward Avenue apartment building in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, displacing dozens of residents with little more than the clothes on their backs. In the blink of an eye, lives were uprooted—many people lost their homes, their belongings, and their sense of safety. For some, it was the only affordable housing they could find. Others, like college students and low-income tenants, had just moved in and didn’t even have renters insurance. They are now left with nothing.

While it’s a relief that no one was physically harmed, the trauma and disruption for these families, students, and disabled residents is just beginning. These are our neighbors, and they need more than sympathy—they need a plan.

We are calling on Mayor Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh City Council, and the Department of Human Services to immediately secure publicly funded transitional housing for every displaced tenant—no one should be left to navigate this crisis alone or fall into homelessness because of a fire they couldn’t control.

The Red Cross and local volunteers have stepped up, but their role is temporary. What’s needed now is permanent housing, long-term support, and financial accountability.

We cannot allow these residents to become invisible after the smoke clears. City leaders and the building’s owners must act immediately to ensure no one is left behind.

Sign this petition if you believe our neighbors deserve both shelter and justice.