Operators, clinicians and advocates press Dane County to fund Bartillon Drive men’s shelter and winter overflow
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Summary
Shelter operators and health clinicians told supervisors the county will open a purpose‑built men's shelter with roughly 250 beds but already faces nightly demand above that level; they urged funding to cover operations and a winter overflow program to prevent people from freezing and to preserve medical continuity of care.
Shelter operators, clinicians and nonprofit leaders told a Dane County budget committee that a new purpose‑built men’s shelter planned for Bartillon Drive will not by itself meet current demand and asked supervisors to restore operating dollars and fund a winter overflow option.
Porchlight and other shelter providers plan a 24/7, housing‑focused men’s shelter with a roughly 250‑bed capacity. Testimony at the committee, however, described nights in recent weeks when 373 men sought shelter — roughly 120 more than Bartillon’s capacity — leaving dozens without shelter and at risk in cold weather. “If the temperature is going to get down to 7 degrees that night…that still leaves over 60 people who want to access shelter and are unable to do so,” said Tori Mueller, a homelessness services professional.
Supervisor Wegleitner explained amendments considered by the committee: HHN‑02 would add $900,000 to county contributions toward Bartillon’s operations so the county’s total commitment reaches roughly $1.5 million in 2026, roughly matching the city’s contribution and private fundraising efforts. HHN‑03 would add funds for a seasonal overflow shelter during the cold months when demand exceeds Bartillon’s capacity. Supervisors also emphasized that county funding should be coordinated with the city and the shelter’s operator through an intergovernmental agreement.
Clinicians and outreach workers stressed health consequences of insufficient shelter. Joanna Anderson, a nurse with Madison Street Medicine, described patients who rely on electricity for oxygen concentrators, refrigeration for insulin, or wound care: “Not having basic shelter will only exacerbate already existing really high medical needs,” she told the committee. Nonprofit leaders warned that cuts to purchase‑of‑service (POS) contracts and shelter operations risked higher long‑term costs in emergency medical care and policing.
County staff said part of the complexity is sequencing: Bartillon is scheduled to open in 2026, and Zire Road — the city‑operated interim shelter — will be vacated; HHN‑03 would help ensure winter‑time overflow capacity is available during the transition. Supervisors asked staff for clearer cost breakdowns and recommended that any county contribution be tied to a signed intergovernmental agreement with the city and the operator describing operations, intake priorities and medical protocols.
No final board vote was taken; supervisors requested specific financial mapping so the board can weigh shelter operations funding alongside other budget tradeoffs.