La Crosse officials describe five‑year Pathways Home plan, urge system change over quick fixes

At a Marathon County–Wausau task force meeting, La Crosse County and City of La Crosse officials presented Pathways Home, a five‑year plan the presenters said is intended to shift the local approach from short‑term emergency measures to an integrated homelessness response system.

Jason Witt, director of the Human Services Department in La Crosse County, said the county and city created the plan after unsheltered numbers rose and past “short term emergency solutions” repeatedly expired when funding ran out. “Resources are are not gonna be the biggest challenge,” Witt said, adding that the larger obstacle is coordinating a different way of working across government, nonprofits and philanthropy.

The plan sets a functional goal of reducing visible unsheltered living to zero and lays out 12 deliverables including a binding coordinated entry list, a dynamic data platform, increased specialized housing capacity, and stepped pilots to improve landlord engagement. Witt said La Crosse’s count showed about 220 people experiencing homelessness at a recent point, with 114 unsheltered. He described an early Pathways Home year focused on hiring staff and building backbone functions; subsequent years emphasize crisis reduction and sustainability.

Brian Sampson, homeless services coordinator for the City of La Crosse, described weekly case conferencing built around the coordinated list and said the system now drives prioritization and funding recommendations. Sampson said the list and data let the community “be as objective as possible” and help determine what housing types are needed.

Jim Dree, homelessness response system manager hired to administer the plan, described project management and data work. He summarized initial system findings: about 87% of people on the list are single adults; the group’s average length of current homelessness exceeded 500 days; and an estimated 77% require moderate or intensive case management. Dree said La Crosse placed 86 people into housing in 2024 and that the plan targets improved throughput so those newly identified can be housed faster.

La Crosse’s plan relies on the city and county acting as coequal “system backbone” partners — providing staff, IT and coordination rather than replacing nonprofit service providers. It also uses a mix of strategies to expand housing: city‑ or agency‑held leases, agency purchase of property and new development. County ARPA funds were cited as seed money for several housing investments, and presenters said some one‑time capital outlays (for property purchase or renovation) are part of the initial costs.

Presenters acknowledged difficult tradeoffs: the plan depends on enforcing laws against outdoor camping “only when that can be done humanely” and only after viable housing or shelter options exist. They also said some people will resist services and that the system must be flexible to serve a range of needs, from short‑term prevention to intensive 24/7 supports.

Witt emphasized that the plan is strategic and long term: “It takes time. It is a 5 year plan.” He and Sampson said the effort prioritizes data transparency so funders and the public can see what is working.

La Crosse officials offered the Pathways Home written plan and one‑page summary to the task force and said they welcome other jurisdictions’ questions about implementation.