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The Milwaukee Continuum of Care will not release its annual list of warming rooms because of safety concerns.
The consortium, which has updated Milwaukeeans annually on where they can stay when weather drops to dangerously low levels, includes organizations responsible for planning, organizing and evaluating services for homeless individuals and families. It ensures compliance with regulations from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“COVID-19 changed a lot for us. So now before we can open a site, we have to think through the safest way to do it,” said Rafael Acevedo Jr., the Continuum of Care coordinator for the City of Milwaukee. “We aren’t publicizing a list because we don’t want people just showing up at sites.”
Previously, NNS found only one warming room available this year, with authorities suggesting that residents call 2-1-1 to find warming sites.
Acevedo said during the pandemic, Milwaukee received federal funds to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, allowing the Milwaukee Continuum of Care to house those facing homelessness in hotels through the winter.
But now that those resources are no longer available, the organization has shifted its focus to trying to get people into housing.
“At one point, we had about 180 hotel rooms to house people,” Acevedo said. “But as those resources get more limited, we have to focus more on the housing-first method.”
James Mathy, the housing administrator with the Milwaukee County Housing Division, said the housing-first method is a first step to help people become stable.
Acevedo said what’s needed now is actual housing.
“If there are landlords willing to work with our system, we need them to reach out to us,” he said. “Emergency warming rooms are important, but the only way to end homelessness is to have housing.”
Mathy said the county is working toward being able to give landlords who work with the Milwaukee Continuum of Care incentives.
Because warming rooms often provided emergency food, hygiene supplies and clothing, the Milwaukee Continuum of Care keeps an Amazon Wishlist for people who want to help keep those in need warm over the winter months.
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