This just a question and maybe Anne Marie can come up with an answer. With as many empty buildings (and there are a lot of them) in Janesville and Beloit. Why can't one or more of them be opened up at night to the homeless during the winter months. Even if just the parking lots were available at least they would be somewhere safe and could be accounted for. And rather than have them move from church to church maybe the churches could take turns working there with them. I know this might take some effort by the owners but maybe there is some sort of tax incentive.

I think a great way to help raise money for the poor is to install parking meters at places like wal-mart or any major business in each isle say the first five spaces after handicapped with all the money going to local charities in there community, have these paid for by the charity and collected by the charity, it's like if you want that close spot at the store then you help charity bye paying to park in that spot.How many times you see people just waiting in the isle waiting for that spot to open out of being lazy .

There was a homeless family staying behind a dumpster behind the abandoned Dollar store across from Pick-n-Save earlier this week. One of our team members had talked to them, but they were gone when we checked. They had an eight y/o daughter with them. The man said they came up here looking for work and recently got evicted from their apartment. There was a report of a dozen people living off the train tracks by Seneca and we looked all over for them, but no luck. There's a man who frequents the dumpster behind KwikTrip on Memorial Dr. Several years ago I met a man "Tim" who rode the rails for years picking up odd jobs and charity. He was visiting his sister here. He got cleaned up, new clothes, and I haven't seen him for quite awhile. Don't forget House of Mercy. The kids, mothers, and dads without a place to stay. It's always full when I go there. Fortunately there are many people and businesses that donate to HOM and other places. I've found out by volunteering there that this city has a lot of very generous people with big hearts.

Oldtimer: Your point is what I was trying to get across (that most homeless bail out of cold climates in the winter) but I obviously wasn't able to reach BeenThereDoneThat. It wasn't obvious enough.

When I was growing up in the 1930's you never saw a hobo in the winter, they rode the rails to warmer climates, so it is with many homeless. So in the summer they were back knocking on your door for a sandwitch, they would sleep at the hobo jungle, this was in Milton Junction.

For people wanting vouchers for a motel the night of the homeless count, they came in to ECHO, the hub for this count. ECHO Exec Director talked with the individuals in a private office, called the motel and issued a one-week voucher, as well as giving them other assistance and information, developed an action plan for them to do in order to get extensions on the lodging. This was done for three of the people found that night, who had been living in their cars.

It is true that some homeless are "snowbirds". Places like Santa Barbara and Key West have particular problems with homeless populations during the winter. But at the same time you need resources to do that, and it is probably something that is mainly long-term ("chronic") homeless. Most people who are homeless, despite stereotypes, are temporarily in that state due to circumstances such as job loss and may not have the wherewithal to get someplace warmer. They may have friends or family available here that they would not elsewhere. They may be, paradoxically, unable to tap those resources due to embarrassment.
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In any case this was not a "save the homeless" crusade, it was a population count required for the allocation of federal resources.

Badgerlvr, that's not even funny.

It really is an eye-opening experience. Glad you were able to cover it, and glad everyone made it home safely. Community Action was able to give vouchers to some people living in their cars.

Beth

I think you can stop looking until April. I'm sure most of the homeless are in the Southern U.S. at this time of year. I know I sure would be.

Well said,Sannio.
I like your post.

Good answer, sannio. You're exactly right.

Ann Marie

If you found someone you had a nice donated care package bag to give them with food, blankets, and other things along with information for services. You could also call in for someone to come out to give them a ride and voucher for a motel to stay in.

What were you going to do when you found somebody?