During Homelessness Awareness Week, Milwaukee County Supervisor Shawn Rolland is increasing efforts to address housing insecurity. As the week runs from Wednesday to tomorrow in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, Rolland is advocating for a budget amendment to add $500,000 in funding for Milwaukee County's Housing Division. This proposed funding is aimed at supporting residents struggling to find housing.
Supporting Rolland's request, the initiative targets the Flexible Housing Pool, a program developed during the pandemic to assist with transitions to stable housing. "Currently, when Supervisors call the Housing Division to help an unhoused person in their area, they use these funds to get that person housed," Rolland stated, in a press release. He cautions, however, that a depletion of these funds would leave the Housing Division short on resources necessary for assistance.
Rolland presented statistics on the housing crisis: rent costs have risen by 31%, and mortgage costs have increased by 43%. This rise has left more residents at risk of homelessness, with some considering makeshift outdoor shelters for the first time. "This situation is a tragedy, and we must act to prevent it," Rolland urged, signaling the urgency for measures that not only anticipate future homelessness but more importantly, alleviate the immediate suffering, according to the county's press release.
Milwaukee County Supervisors Jack Eckblad, Juan Miguel Martinez, Sky Z. Capriolo, Felesia Martin, Caroline Gómez-Tom, and Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones have joined as co-sponsors of the amendment, reflecting shared concerns. Their support emphasizes the importance of housing security and the connection between well-being and access to stable housing.
Rolland's amendment provides actionable solutions as Milwaukee County addresses its housing insecurity crisis. The County Board must now decide whether to approve this financial amendment, potentially turning a call for help into support for those in need.
