Milwaukee County is poised to address critical housing needs through two injection of federal funds earmarked for improving the lives of the county’s older adults and those transitioning from incarceration. The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors gave the green light today for initiatives aimed at reducing homelessness and providing support services, according to the Milwaukee County.
The first initiative, known as the 2024 Smart Reentry: Housing Demonstration Project, will use $2 million to help ex-offenders reintegrate into the community. The funds, split evenly between the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance and the county itself, are slated to potentially transform the transitional phase into one marked by stability and support. In collaboration with groups like My Way Out and Community Advocates, the project will focus on counseling, employment assistance, and, crucially, housing – a foundation often proving elusive for many emerging from the Community Reintegration Center, as reported by the Milwaukee County.
Another $976,248 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will go directly towards aiding seniors in crisis, a demographic that often struggles with homelessness. The Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services Aging and Disabilities Services will manage the two-year initiative, providing emergency and transitional housing for those aged 60 and above. Working with local partners, the scheme is a proactive step in safeguarding the health, safety, and dignity of Milwaukee County's older residents.
County Executive David Crowley is championing these funding opportunities, asserting that, "Housing is a matter of public health, and housing security is a critical social determinant of health. Our shared vision for Milwaukee County includes expanding equitable access to safe, quality, and affordable housing and supportive services for those in need," according to the Milwaukee County press release. This sentiment is echoed by Shakita LaGrant-McClain, the Executive Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, who stated, "We want to ensure that older adults and people reentering their communities from the CRC have access to safe and affordable housing."
These developments hold the promise of building a Milwaukee County that does not simply pay lip service to the idea of rehabilitation and care but embodies it through concrete measures. For more information on Milwaukee County’s housing programs, residents can visit their official website.
