Wausau shelter reports 266 unduplicated guests, 21 housed since May; Catholic Charities to reopen Nov. 1

Tracy, the city's community outreach coordinator, told the City of Wausau Public Health and Safety Committee on Oct. 20 that "as of the September, we were up to 266 unduplicated individuals who have attended at least 1 night in our shelter." She said the shelter, which opened in May, has housed more than 21 people since it began operations.

The committee was told the shelter population has shifted in recent months. Tracy said the share of female guests rose from about 25'26% earlier this year to roughly 35% in the most recent month, and that shelters are serving a growing number of people age 65 and older, many with mobility issues. "We have a fair amount of people in shelter right now that are 65 and older," she said.

Tracy credited a network of community partners for the placements and services. She named Northern Valley and North Central Community Action Program as partners and singled out Chuck and Annie Bongert, owners of the former Annabelle Apartments on Bridge Street, for housing several people who came from the shelter. "They really are our second chance people," she said.

On the Bridge Street supportive-housing project, Tracy said the private capital campaign has reached its target and the developer was moving into the design phase; she said she was meeting with the developer the following day to discuss timeline. "I believe they're actually maybe a little over what they wanted, for their capital campaign," Tracy said. She and committee members said construction timing and the project's readiness will inform how the city coordinates a handoff from the shelter to the new owner.

The committee heard that Catholic Charities will reopen its emergency shelter on Nov. 1. "So between the 2 shelters, we will have about 90 beds available," Tracy told the panel, saying the added capacity will be important as temperatures fall. The committee also noted that the council is sponsoring a dinner at the WMC shelter this week and encouraged members to assist.

Tracy asked that her August and September reports be placed on file; the committee accepted those reports and said staff would return with updates next month.

The committee recorded no formal policy action on the shelter at the Oct. 20 meeting; the discussion was an informational update and the outreach reports were placed on file.