Family House Grows

Family House has inked a long-term deal with the University of Pittsburgh to rent out the top 4 floors of the old University Club to use as a new “house.” The charity hopes to have the 45-bed facility open by the spring of 2009. Currently Family House has 115 beds in three facilities in Pittsburgh and its executive director Christie Knott says they have to turn away 30 families every night. Any patient and their family traveling more than 60 miles to Pittsburgh to get treatment for a life threatening illness can rent a room. The rooms range from $40-$60 compared to a $120 hotel room. Knott says she knows many families wind up sleeping in hospital waiting rooms or their cars because they cannot afford a hotel. She says the average client stays in the Family House for 6 to 7 nights but transplant patients often need stays of 3 to 6 months. Each of the houses include common areas and cooking facilities where Knott says many families find the support they need from others in similar situations.