FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sale of Historic Hill District Property Secures Future of Catholic Charities’ St. Joseph House of Hospitality
The completed purchase preserves a long-standing Hill District transitional residence for men over 50 experiencing homelessness, where Catholic Charities’ staff provide care, dignity, and a path toward stability.
PITTSBURGH, PA: After 32 years of leasing the space, Catholic Charities has officially purchased the 1635 Bedford Avenue in the Hill District, the longtime home of St. Joseph House of Hospitality. Finalized on September 14, 2026, the sale transfers ownership from the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill to Catholic Charities. This transaction permanently secures the future for a program that has provided thousands of Pittsburgh’s most vulnerable men with a safe place to call home as they work toward a stable future with support from the Catholic Charities team. St. Joseph House of Hospitality is the only year-round men’s residential program of its kind in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The Bedford Avenue property has served people in need in Pittsburgh’s Hill District for more than a century, beginning in 1891 as the Roselia Foundling Asylum and Maternity Hospital, founded by the Sisters of Charity. St. Joseph House of Hospitality – founded in 1937 by Rev. Charles O. Rice to serve men and women in need – moved into the newly renovated building in 1974, leasing it from the Sisters of Charity.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh assumed operation of the program in 1982, and St. Joseph’s became part of Catholic Charities in 1992. In the following decades since, Catholic Charities has invested substantially in the upkeep of the building and expansion of the program, adding comprehensive case management, expanded aftercare support, enhanced food service, and other resident resources while preserving what has always set St. Joseph’s apart: no fixed limit on length of stay, professional and competent program services, and a close-knit, inclusive community residents and staff describe as family.
In 2024, building on its long record of stewardship, Catholic Charities began working to purchase the property outright, a process that culminated this year in full ownership of the 60-bed residence.
“This milestone marks more than the acquisition of a building—it represents a renewed commitment to providing hope, stability, and dignity for older men in our community who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. When Catholic Charities welcomed this program into its family, we became stewards of resources thoughtfully entrusted to support its mission. Through careful investment and faithful stewardship, those resources helped make this milestone possible.,” said Susan Rauscher, CEO of Catholic Charities. “We are honored to have been able to follow the Sisters of Charity’s legacy of caring for those in need and we remain deeply grateful to them, the compassionate and dedicated team at St. Joe’s, and the visionary donors and supporters whose ongoing commitment continues to sustain and strengthen this life-changing ministry.”
With support from case managers, approximately 75% of St. Joseph’s residents who complete the program go on to meet key benchmarks for housing stability, income, health care, and life skills.
About St. Joseph House of Hospitality:
Founded in 1937, St. Joseph House of Hospitality is the only year-round men’s residential program of its kind in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Located in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, it provides safe, dignified housing for men age 50 and older who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing their homes. Residents receive private, furnished rooms, meals, and comprehensive case management, including housing placement, job coaching, veterans services, and coordination of access to medical, dental, and mental health care. Residents can remain in the program, with no fixed limit on length of stay, until they are stable enough to move out to live independently or until they need a higher level of care.
About Catholic Charities:
Founded in 1910, Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh has served the region for more than 115 years connecting people to resources, healing bodies and minds, and empowering neighbors to build lasting stability. Throughout a century of service, Catholic Charities has evolved, growing outreach beyond transactional one-time assistance to providing long-term solutions through a holistic continuum of care. The organization holds a 4-star rating, the highest possible, from Charity Navigator.
For more information or to get involved, visit ccpgh.org, contact the Development Office at development@ccpgh.org, or call 412-456-6953.
