Advocates tell Kenosha council winter homelessness has spiked and shelters are at capacity

Multiple community advocates told the Kenosha Common Council on Feb. 2 that local shelter capacity is strained during prolonged cold weather and urged immediate, coordinated action.

Byron Wright said the city is "having record numbers this winter," reporting that on one night 155 people were sheltered. He linked rising homelessness to a shortage of affordable housing and to past policy choices that reduced rooming-house options.

Janet Hogan said community-run providers are at capacity and that the Motel Voucher Program was housing 65 people in 38 rooms. "Kenosha does not currently have enough publicly funded options to meet the emergency needs of this many people," she said, and recommended the city adopt a formal emergency-declaration process so shelters could expand capacity during prolonged inclement weather.

Peter Power, speaking on behalf of Support is a Shelter, outlined a three-part response: emergency shelter and outreach to stabilize people in crisis, long-term affordable and supportive housing, and prevention measures such as short-term rental or utility assistance and eviction mediation. He said his group is prepared to work with city staff and local providers to advance those steps.

A councilmember later urged faith communities to offer space and volunteers to help meet overflow needs, and noted county funding constraints that may reduce motel-voucher availability in coming weeks. The Feb. 2 meeting record shows discussion and public appeals but no formal council action or vote on an emergency declaration at that session.

Advocates urged the council to pursue collaborative public–private solutions, expand shelter capacity, and clarify funding for continued motel voucher support and longer-term affordable housing investments.