During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the urgent need for a permanent fixed site shelter in Lake County, highlighting the challenges posed by the current temporary shelter model. The existing system, which relied on seasonal rotating shelters in church basements, was significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the county transitioned to using hotel rooms for shelter, funded by one-time financial resources, including American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars.

However, as these funds dwindle, officials expressed concern over the sustainability of this model. The meeting revealed alarming statistics, indicating that homelessness in Lake County has surged by nearly 50%, a trend that mirrors national and global increases in homelessness. With financial resources running out and the temporary shelter model proving inadequate, there is a pressing need to establish a permanent solution to address the growing crisis in the community.