World Homeless Day: Here are 4 ways to help in Wisconsin

Housing advocates across Wisconsin say the rising cost of housing and a lack of affordable inventory are contributing to the increasing homeless population in the state.
In 2024, 21,466 clients in Wisconsin who were homeless or at risk of losing their housing were served by agencies within the Homeless Management Information System. The system is used to track data on homelessness and coordinate response. There were 17,075 clients who received emergency shelter, which was higher than each of the previous two years.
The Point in Time count, which accounts for the number of homeless people on a single night, was 5,019 last year. According to HMIS data, that’s the highest number since 2016, with Milwaukee County as the only large county seeing a significant decrease. Statewide counts for 2025 have not yet been released, but in Dane County, 790 homeless people were counted, the highest number since 2021.
“Rent is high. If someone has social security income due to a disabling condition or because they’re an older adult, I would say it’s near impossible to find housing in our area and probably most areas of the country that is affordable,” said Torrie Kopp Mueller, continuum of care coordinator for the Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County. “When there is an affordable unit, you know, it’s one and everyone’s applying for it.”
Fair market rent, typically 40% of gross rent in a market, is used to determine housing vouchers, Section 8 rent and other housing payments for those in need. But as gross rents rise, so do fair market rents; in Dane County this year it rose by $100 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The average person experiencing homelessness in a Dane County emergency shelter or a safe haven will spend around 78 nights there, according to the consortium’s annual system performance measures, data highlighting the length of time it can take for the unhoused to find their footing or otherwise leave the shelters. Even accepted applicants aren’t guaranteed housing, and when housing does become available, not all have equal access to it.
“Sometimes the folks we serve have blemishes on their record. Maybe poor credit, or a criminal thing that happened years ago and that can make it hard to find housing when you’re competing with all kinds of people,” Kopp Mueller said.
The Wisconsin Rapids area provides a few options for the local homeless population, with a focus on kicking addiction and finding jobs. Most shelters require applicants to have a criminal record clear of violent or sexual offenses.
Mary’s Place of Central Wisconsin recently expanded to serve the Wisconsin Rapids area in addition to Marshfield, and provides shelter to approved applicants in addition to basic necessities, case management and job service referrals. Applicants can stay for six weeks for free if eligible, or up to six months with a program fee.
The Wisconsin Rapids Family Shelter offers temporary housing to victims of domestic violence.
Wisconsin Rapids public schools have a Families in Transition program which aims to address the barriers to education homeless students may be facing. According to their website, each building has trained staff dedicated to supporting students and families experiencing homelessness.
The North Central Community Action Program of Wood County (NCCAP) also offers tools and resources, like the Emergency Housing Assistance Fund (EHAF).
According to the NCCAP website, “EHAF is a one month rent subsidy (partial or full, to be determined by caseworker) for people with a documented crisis. For example, a medical emergency causing temporary loss of hours at work, or an extenuating circumstance causing discretionary income to be utilized for the situation. EHAF is not for a security deposit and/or first and last month’s rent. This isn’t a fund to help someone move out of their current housing situation. It is for crisis situations and to help people remain housed.”
To help survivors and address homelessness, Chambers and Tabitha Gier, WRC case manager, said there should be more local affordable housing options.
“We can keep them there and safe as long as we physically can or financially can through our funding, but if there’s nowhere to put them or help them get (housing), what are we doing?” Gier said. “Where do we go?”
Esther Roberts, executive director of the Shalom Center in Kenosha, sees the same issues.
“There is a lack of truly affordable housing in Kenosha County, where tenants pay 30% or less of their gross income on total housing, including utilities. Even when people exit homelessness or shelters, finding housing that is truly affordable is very difficult,” she said.
Roberts said one of the pain points in helping the homeless is a lack of money and programs focused on prevention, so advocates can reach people before they are at risk of losing their housing.
However, the Forward Service Corporation, located at 320 West Grand Ave., Suite 102 in Wisconsin Rapids, can offer support to families in crisis with cash assistance and Job Access Loans to help people stay employed and avoid homelessness.
The issues of homelessness can seem daunting to people in the community, advocates say. But there are things residents can do to help. On World Homeless Day, which is Oct. 10, they’re offering suggestions to help the unhoused.

Donate

Advocates say homeless shelters and programs that help the unhoused could use monetary donations, but they’re also in need to items for the residents, too.
Common donations include cleaning supplies, diapers, baby lotion, gift cards, underwear, allergy medicine, hand sanitizer, coffee, canned soup, boxed pasta and granola bars.
Contact your local shelter to see what is needed.

Volunteer

There is always a need for volunteers, advocates said.
While any help is appreciated, some advocates said there is a special need for people who can volunteer regularly. In Kenosha, for example, Roberts said there is a need for volunteers at the Shalom Center for people who can commit to a regular volunteer schedule. Volunteers at shelters or pantries often stock shelves, cook, clean or perform other duties.

Advocate

Advocates for the homeless urge community members to pay attention to what’s happening at the local level. Often, there are discussions in government meetings about affordable housing or proposals for homeless shelters. More voices advocating for resources helps, they said.
“Going to neighborhood meetings, budget hearings and advocating for resources for people experiencing homelessness, or if there’s an affordable housing development in your neighborhood, going and speaking in support of those things is huge. We need to hear those supportive voices.” said Kopp Mueller in Dane County. “That’s really where you can have impact because alders are listening to people in their districts and so you really can have more of a personal relationship on a local level and make a difference.”

Withhold judgement
There are many reasons why people lose or can’t find housing, advocates say, from job lost to health issues to the loss of a spouse. The easiest thing community members can do is work to understand the homeless community and what they might need to get back on their feet.
“People can help by not judging how someone becomes homeless, generalizing the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse because there are many unforeseen factors that lead to any individuals’ circumstances on any given day.” Jo Wynn, CEO/founder, Walkin’ in My Shoes in Kenosha, which helps homeless people with immediate needs including personal care items.
In La Crosse, the city and county joined forces for create Pathways Home, whose goal is to reduce the time people spend in shelters in part by addressing issues that cause homelessness.
Jim Drees, homelessness response system manager for La Crosse County, and Brian Sampson, homeless services coordinator for the city, said in a statement that affordable housing can be difficult to find, especially for people with criminal records or mental illness.
“Our system depends on second chance landlords — those willing to rent to individuals with challenging histories — and second chance employers who offer job opportunities to those rebuilding their lives,” they said.
Reporters Anna Hansen, Terry Flores, Ryan Patterson, Kat Halfman and Caden Perry contributed to this story.
Lee Wisconsin/MMC/WNA