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Homelessness advocates tell council shelter capacity, enforcement leave people sleeping outside
Summary
A longtime homeless advocate said the Shalom Center is at capacity and local enforcement and reduced benefits are increasing the number of people sleeping outdoors, including families with children.
Marietta Huff, who identified herself as a longtime homeless advocate, told the Kenosha Common Council on Aug. 4 that shelter capacity is not keeping pace with need and that enforcement actions have increased for people sleeping in parks and vehicles.
"The Shalom Center, which is a wonderful place, but, getting people through the Shalom Center and into housing is a bottleneck," Huff said. She said the recent point-in-time count showed an increase in people living outside and that the city’s summer policing of parks has produced warnings and $124 tickets to people sleeping in public spaces after park hours.
Huff said volunteers are organizing a homeless support committee within the Emergency Services Network to develop local actions and warned of more families becoming homeless as utility-assistance programs and benefits shrink. "We have women with children sleeping outside now. Do we want that to continue and increase into the winter?" she asked.
Her comments were delivered during the public-comment portion of the meeting. Councilmembers did not take motions or votes in response during the Aug. 4 session. Huff said she would send councilmembers follow-up information by email.
