Madison, Wisconsin – The Salvation Army’s only shelter for single women in Dane County is experiencing unprecedented demand. Three years ago the shelter housed 65 to 75 women each night; last night it served 128, and the average over recent months has been about 110 women in a building with just over 140 beds.

Capacity challenges for women and families

Major Michael Sjogren, Dane County Coordinator for the Salvation Army, said the increase has been steady and not tied to seasonal weather patterns. “We are increasing enough to where it’s getting a little challenging for us, and so the need for this new facility,” he explained.

The organization also runs a family shelter that can accommodate roughly 36 families nightly, but a waiting list of 40 to 60 families is typical. “Unfortunately, we are not able to serve the need on a daily basis,” Sjogren said.

Plans for a purpose‑built shelter

To address the shortfall, the Salvation Army has been raising funds for a new, purpose‑built shelter. The proposed facility would include 157 beds for single women and an emergency shelter program for families, while maintaining a 24‑hour family shelter.

Funding for the project includes just over $2 million earmarked by Dane County Executive Melissa Agard’s budget, combined with $13 million already raised by the organization. The new shelter is expected to be built on a site currently occupied by the YMCA’s west‑side location, which the YMCA plans to vacate as it constructs a new campus in Fitchburg.

Location negotiations and timeline

For years the Salvation Army intended to expand on its East Washington Avenue site, but a pivot was required about a year ago when that option proved financially unfeasible. Sjogren said the agency is now in negotiations with the City of Madison and Dane County to secure the YMCA property.

Construction cannot begin until the YMCA vacates the site. The YMCA’s new Fitchburg facility broke ground recently, with completion expected in early 2028. Once the site is cleared, the Salvation Army hopes to break ground on its shelter in the next few months.

Focus on permanent housing solutions

Despite the surge in demand, the Salvation Army has not turned anyone away since the COVID‑19 pandemic. “We have good alternatives for individuals if we need to move into more of an overflow state, but have been able to meet current need,” Sjogren said.

The organization emphasizes that shelter is a temporary stopgap; the ultimate goal is to connect women and families with affordable housing. “The key is affordable housing, and that’s really what these families need, and Dane County needs,” he added.

Community perspective

United Way of Dane County notes that the rising need reflects a broader, long‑term challenge. Angela Jones, Community Impact Director for United Way, said many families are still feeling the economic fallout from the pandemic, with reduced work hours and higher costs for housing, food, utilities and child care.

HUD’s point‑in‑time count shows 912 single adults and 62 families in Dane County currently meet the federal definition of homelessness, not counting an additional 1,000 households that are doubled up or couch‑surfing.

United Way stresses that while a new shelter is a necessary step, it is only a short‑term solution. “Shelter is a crisis point in time, so that needs to be addressed, but when you’re talking about long‑term solutions, it’s housing and it’s employment,” Jones said.

Next steps

The Salvation Army continues its capital campaign to fund construction once a site is secured. In the meantime, the organization works with case managers to divert families to other housing options and to help single women transition out of the shelter system.

County officials, the Salvation Army, and community partners remain focused on securing a location and moving forward with construction, aiming to alleviate the current strain and provide a dignified, larger capacity shelter for those in need.

Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.