Homelessness task force to draft 12‑month plan after May presentation; VA to host veteran outreach surge

Members of Marathon County’s Homelessness Task Force told the Health and Human Services Committee that their May 19 presentation to the full county board and the city council was well received and that officials directed County Administrator Leonard and city staff to work together on a plan to present within the next 12 months.

“A lot of data was presented. If you haven't watched the meeting yet, I would suggest watching it because there's a lot to it. And I think that, everybody that was at the meeting had some really great comments about the presentation and how the task force presented it. So thank you,” a task force member said.

Supervisor Conway summarized data from shelter clients, saying roughly three‑quarters of people using the emergency shelter had chronic health issues, mental‑health or substance‑use concerns, or disabilities, while about 25% did not and were experiencing homelessness for other reasons.

“3 quarter of them had issues like we discussed, chronic health issues, mental health, AODA concerns, disabilities, things like that. But 25 percent didn't,” Conway said, adding that broader local economic data (the ALICE report) show many households are one major bill away from financial crisis.

Aaron Galindo, Veteran Service Officer, reported that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs plans a “surge” outreach event covering Marathon, Portage and Wood counties to identify and connect veterans experiencing homelessness with resources, including HUD‑VASH vouchers, the Center for Veterans Issues and local veteran recovery programs. Galindo said HUD‑VASH is currently out of vouchers in the area and that more than 50 veterans are using the voucher program locally.

“I have a contact for that, and I can get that sent out... The intent of the surge event is to develop a team to go out into the communities or areas where those who are homeless may be identify and engage with them. Any veterans, this is specific to veterans, obviously, and connect them to resources and rapidly rehousing them,” Galindo said.

Committee members asked for outreach and contact information to be shared with the task force and county staff. No formal committee action was taken on the task force plan or the VA event at the meeting; members said they will await materials and contacts from task force and VA organizers as planning continues.