The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development may shift their funding from 'Housing First' to treatment first programs
Wisconsin’s homeless population has been rising in recent years, but the state continues to outperform its Midwest neighbors in addressing homelessness.
According to a recent Wisconsin Policy Forum report, the state’s homeless population increased to 5,495 this year, a 4.8 percent increase over 2025. It was the fifth consecutive year of increases after years of decline.
The report said factors including rising housing costs, worsening economic conditions and the expiration of pandemic-era supports may be behind the rise...
Ken Notes: We need to remember there is a very real cost to all Wisconsin citizens for both the homeless and the lack of workforce housing. If we want groceries, retail stores, meat and dairy, hotels, restaurants, not to mention our daily cup of coffee -- we need to provide quality housing near where the service is provided.
If we want safer neighborhoods we need to address other issues as well. Working with alcohol, drugs, and mental illness is a very real challenge and working together on these issues seems to be the key to success. The housing first approach has proven to be the most successful and cost effective. For the record I am a fiscal conservative and believe there should be a return on our investments.
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- - Volume: 26 - WEEK: 35 Date: 8/24/2026 5:18:38 PM -