Registered sex offenders to leave Pittsburgh recovery house after neighbors voice concerns

Councilperson says operator failed to notify community about opening of facility near playground

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A dozen registered sex offenders are expected to move out of a recovery house in Pittsburgh's South Side Slopes after neighbors and city officials say they were blindsided by the facility's opening near a playground and recreation center. The operator, Skyline Recovery, did not reach out to the community before converting the vacant building, prompting outrage from residents and the local councilperson, who says the city lacks zoning rules to regulate where such facilities can operate.

Why it matters

The lack of community notification and the proximity of the recovery house to a playground and recreation center have raised concerns about public safety and the need for better oversight of where facilities housing registered sex offenders can be located.

The details

The recovery house opened quietly on Salisbury Street, blocks from the Arlington playground and recreation center in a densely populated, family-oriented neighborhood. Residents only learned about it through Megan's Law notifications. Councilperson Bob Charland (D) says the operator, Skyline Recovery, did not reach out to the community before converting the vacant building, which he calls "concerning." After community outrage and conversations with city officials, the operator has agreed to move the residents out of the area as soon as possible.

  • The recovery house opened quietly on Salisbury Street in recent months.
  • Residents only learned about it through Megan's Law notifications.
  • Councilperson Charland was unaware of the facility until he started receiving calls from frustrated residents.

The players

Bob Charland

The Democratic councilperson for the South Side district where the recovery house is located.

Skyline Recovery

The operator of the recovery house that agreed to move the registered sex offenders out of the neighborhood.

Katelyn Hornick

A neighbor who expressed concerns about the recovery house's proximity to a playground and recreation center.

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What they’re saying

“I feel very safe in this neighborhood, but something like that makes you wonder. Do you need to be more cautious? What's being done to keep everybody safe? What's happening behind those doors?”

— Katelyn Hornick, Neighbor (KDKA-TV)

“This is a deeply residential area. This is an area in my district where people are still raising families. These are folks with a record of violent sexual misconduct.”

— Bob Charland, Councilperson (KDKA-TV)

“Thankfully, the operator was willing to move out on their own. We don't really have a hammer to push them out. There isn't a tool that exists like that for us to move forward and push them out.”

— Bob Charland, Councilperson (KDKA-TV)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the registered sex offenders to remain in the recovery house.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for better zoning regulations and community notification processes when it comes to the placement of recovery houses and other facilities housing registered sex offenders, especially in densely populated residential areas near playgrounds and other family-oriented spaces.