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Help Keep Your Neighbors Safe

Winter conditions in Milwaukee—including freezing temperatures, snow, and prolonged cold—create serious challenges for people experiencing homelessness and increase the urgency of accessing safe shelter.

Milwaukee-area warming shelters routinely operate at or near capacity, serving approximately 250 individuals on an average night. While many people seeking shelter are from the Milwaukee area, shelters also assist individuals arriving from other parts of Wisconsin, including northern Wisconsin, Madison, and Waukesha. Many are seeking stability in Milwaukee and are receiving support to do so.

Shelters have also seen an increase in families needing assistance, including large households of five to eight people. Many of these families include young children under the age of 12 and, in some cases, newborns.

In addition, shelters report an increase in individuals seeking shelter with pets. While these animals may not be legally registered as service animals, they provide critical emotional support during times of crisis. Limited pet accommodations can prevent some individuals from accessing shelter. To help address this barrier, several nonprofits are creating ways to support individuals experiencing homelessness with pets.

If you or someone you know is experiencing housing instability, help is available. Call 2-1-1 to be connected to housing and shelter resources. Milwaukee County Housing Services, the Coordinated Entry (CE) Lead, follows up with individuals to complete assessments and connect them to appropriate support.

You can help with the city’s response to winter homelessness.

Consider supporting local shelters by making a monetary donation. Funds will go directly toward supporting the warming populations.

The number of people at the City’s warming shelters has more than doubled, which has significantly increased the costs related to daily operations, linens, food, and staffing.

Click Here to Donate to the Warming Effort