A Haven Grows: Second Fisher House Breaks Ground in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA – March 27, 2026 – Amidst the sounds of construction and a sense of shared purpose, community leaders and supporters broke ground today on a second Fisher House at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. The new facility marks a significant expansion of a vital service, more than doubling the capacity to provide a "home away from home" for military and veteran families facing medical crises.

The new 16-suite house, located at the H. John Heinz III VA campus, will join the existing 10-suite facility, increasing the total number of families that can be accommodated each night from 10 to 26. This expansion was celebrated by David A. Coker, president of Fisher House Foundation, and leaders from the VA, who highlighted the growing need for such support.

“Today’s groundbreaking in Pittsburgh is about making sure Veteran families can be together when it matters most,” said Fisher House Foundation Chairman and CEO Ken Fisher. "As the need grows, so does our commitment. We’re deeply grateful to the Friends of Pittsburgh Fisher House and our incredible community partners for stepping forward to make it possible.”

Addressing a Critical and Growing Need

For families traveling to Pittsburgh for specialized medical care, the Fisher House is more than just a place to stay—it's a sanctuary. The existing 10-room house, which opened in 2012, has consistently operated at or near full capacity, often maintaining a waitlist. This high demand underscores the urgent need for this expansion. When the house is full, staff work to place families in temporary lodging using donated hotel points through the "Hotels for Heroes" program, but the goal is always to bring them into the supportive community of the house itself.

The relief provided is both financial and emotional. The foundation ensures there is never a lodging fee, a policy that will save families at the new Pittsburgh house an estimated $800,000 annually. This removes a significant financial burden at a time when families should be focused on their loved one's health.

The story of Steve Schellberg, a Naval aviator who required a major organ transplant, powerfully illustrates this impact. His wife stayed at the first Pittsburgh Fisher House for over two months while he recovered. “The entire staff and the many volunteers create an incredibly supportive atmosphere. All the logistical worries about where to stay and eat were lifted from our shoulders—it was a tremendous relief,” said Schellberg. “Feeling helpless during that time, knowing that [my wife] had a safe place to stay and food to eat was crucial.” It is this profound sense of security and community that Fisher House aims to replicate and expand with its new facility.

A Testament to Community Philanthropy

The journey to this groundbreaking was paved by extraordinary community generosity, a hallmark of the Fisher House public-private partnership model. The Fisher House Foundation typically covers construction costs but challenges the local community to raise a significant portion of the funds, fostering local ownership and engagement.

Leading the charge in Pittsburgh is the Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House, a dedicated non-profit organization. The group has worked tirelessly, raising over $260,000 between 2020 and 2021 alone as part of its campaign to contribute $3 million towards the new facility's estimated $9 million cost. Their efforts, which are ongoing, demonstrate a deep-seated local commitment to veteran care.

This project is backed by a broad coalition of supporters. The list of contributors is a who's who of local and national philanthropy, including 84 Lumber Company, Pirates Charities, Colcom Foundation, the VFW Department of Pennsylvania, and many other foundations, corporations, and individuals. This widespread support showcases a powerful collaborative effort to build a tangible asset for the region's veterans and their families. The fundraising continues as the community rallies to close the final funding gap for this vital project.

Bolstering a Regional Hub of Veteran Care

The expansion of Fisher House capacity is strategically aligned with the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System's (VAPHS) role as a major center for veteran care. VAPHS is one of the largest and most progressive systems in the nation, drawing patients from across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and even all 50 states for its specialized services.

With a 14% growth in specialty care encounters in a single recent year and the launch of innovative programs like a Virtual Cancer Care Clinic and a Western Market Cardiology Hub, VAPHS is a destination for veterans needing complex treatment. This success, however, means many families must travel long distances, creating a pressing need for affordable, long-term lodging. The new Fisher House directly addresses this consequence of VAPHS's excellence.

The choice of the H. John Heinz III VA campus for the new house is particularly significant. This campus is home to essential long-term care services, including hospice, nursing home care, and rehabilitation. Placing the new 16-suite house here ensures that families whose loved ones require extended stays for recovery or end-of-life care can remain just steps away, providing constant support without the logistical and financial strain of daily travel.

A Foundation for Future Support

The new 13,000-plus-square-foot facility is designed with the specific needs of its guests in mind. Each of the 16 bedroom suites will feature a private, wheelchair-accessible bathroom, offering dignity and privacy. Beyond the private rooms, the heart of the house will be its common areas: a large, modern kitchen, communal living and dining rooms, a laundry room, and an outdoor patio. These shared spaces are intentionally designed to foster interaction and mutual support among families who are all navigating similar, difficult journeys.

While the groundbreaking marks a major milestone, the work of building this home is just beginning. With construction now underway, the project is anticipated to welcome its first families in late 2026 or early 2027. Once operational, the house will require the continued support of the community, relying on a combination of dedicated staff and a robust network of volunteers. Nationwide, VA Fisher Houses benefited from nearly 24,000 hours of volunteer service in a single year, a testament to the community spirit that sustains these homes.

This second Pittsburgh house will join a network of over 100 Fisher Houses across the United States and Europe, a program that has saved military and veteran families an estimated $690 million in lodging and transportation costs since its inception. As construction progresses, the project stands as a powerful symbol of a grateful nation's promise to care for its veterans and their families, ensuring they have a place of comfort and community when they need it most.