Milwaukee unveils winter warming plan to support homeless community

Colder weather is coming our way, and preparations are underway at shelters in Milwaukee as they gear up to help this winter.

The main goal of Milwaukee's "Warming Plan" is to provide a safe and warm space for everyone this winter.

At Guest House of Milwaukee, they're already prepared for colder days ahead.

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"We are full every night. Regardless if it's super cold or not," said Stephen Bauer from Guest House Milwaukee. "The folks that come in here get a warm place to sleep, they get meals, they get support."

Bauer is the CEO of this "male-only shelter" that makes up one of the places that provides help for people who struggle with housing.

"The warming efforts are nearly the first front end of that in terms of emergency shelter to keep people so we don't have people dying in the street," Bauer added. 

The Milwaukee Coalition on Housing and Homelessness says 69% of men and 30% of women use these shelters during this season.

Homelessness statistics

The majority are between the ages of 25 and 44.

"Our commitment to ending homelessness and providing support to those in our community who need that support," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

The city will be providing help at four locations that will be available for everyone starting on Nov. 25 until Mar. 31, 2025.

"I am pleased and proud that our efforts will continue here and so people who are experiencing homelessness will have an opportunity to have that shoulder, to have those meals as we enter the winter season," Johnson added.

Cots

These efforts will try to help keep everyone safe during the winter months.

Bauer tells FOX6 that in the last year he did see an uptick of elderly people seeking these resources, something he believes we'll see during this season.

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Warming site locations

  • Guest House of Milwaukee – 1216 N 13th Street Milwaukee, WI 53205
  • Unity Lutheran Church – 1025 E Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
  • St Ben’s- 930 W State Street Milwaukee, WI 53233
  • Repairer’s of the Breach- 1335 W Vliet Street Milwaukee, WI 53205

Operating Hours: Sites will operate from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily with general walk-in hours beginning at 8 p.m. From 7-8 p.m., placement will be prioritized for individuals verified to be sleeping outdoors by Street Outreach Professionals. This ensures that this life-saving resource meets the most vulnerable needs while still being accessible to other overnight needs in the community.

Additional Support Services: Trained staff will be on-site to provide a therapeutic and safe environment. A network of volunteers will also be available to make referrals to community-based resources through Impact Connect.