Months away from the anticipated opening of a new men’s homeless shelter on Madison’s east side, nonprofit organizations in Dane County are reporting record numbers of people needing help and a place to stay.
Local government officials are simultaneously worried about losing federal money that funds semi-permanent housing placements for people who lack a stable place to live. Dane County officials also fear losing other funding for housing projects because of new program standards that could curtail access to services such as substance abuse treatment.
The county could lose about $3 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development money this year because of a recent policy change that cuts 60% of the amount the county can spend on permanent housing, as opposed to temporary or rapid re-housing…