An estimated 1,200 people are homeless in northeast Wisconsin — and that could be a vast undercount. Nonprofit leaders say shelters are at capacity on a regular basis and a lack of affordable housing is contributing to the problem.
Understanding Homelessness
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, someone would have to work 112 hours per week at minimum wage to afford a modest 1-bedroom rental home in Wisconsin. Amid rising costs, Jackie Baumgart, director of youth services for Foundations Health & Wholeness, says rural counties Foundations serves have few homeless shelters.
“We need a shelter or three in every county … If there was somebody to call and get somebody in every time, we could do wonderful work, because it wouldn’t always be in crisis,” Baumgart said.
Getting Help
To get help, individuals can call 211, their county Aging and Disability Resource Center, or their local government. If seeking shelter, they should access Coordinated Entry, which will place them on a list that all organizations in their area can pull from based on their eligibility.
Other resources include 211 Wisconsin, Findhelp, and local coalitions such as the Lakeshore Homeless Coalition and the Fox Cities Coalition.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
