JANESVILLE, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- A local non-profit group is helping to tackle the area’s homeless population, one project at a time-- using renovated property. 

There are currently 350 people reportedly without shelter in two major areas of Janesville. That’s according to ECHO, a local non-profit advocacy group for homelessness.

Last year, to combat those numbers, the city of Janesville formed a focus group, putting a plan into action to keep people safe and off the streets. So far, that plan is working.

Two weeks ago, the city voted to extend designated parking lots, permitting homeless people to spend the night in their vehicles. This week, ECHO is opening the city’s first transitional house for the people who are homeless.

This two-bedroom bungalow was once under tax foreclosure and taken over by the city.

“We were very lucky to have many volunteers including the local fire department here in Janesville to help us demo the house before we started rebuilding it back up in the inside,” said Jessica Locher, Client Manager and Spokesperson for ECHO.

After months of construction and remodeling, the house, originally built in the 1920s was donated by the city to ECHO.

Its occupants haven’t been selected just yet, but there are requirements for each applicant. The family must first have an income of at least $200.

“Eventually as their income increases, they’ll be paying thirty percent of their income towards the housing cost,” said Locher.

 A homeless family can reside at the transitional house for up to 18 months. ECHO organizers believe that would be enough time to help them back on their feet, working full time and in a place of their own.

There will be weekly site-visits and case management appointments to help the people living there.

“Working on short and long term goals, such as budgeting, how to be good neighbors, etc,” said Locher.

Echo says this will be their only transitional house for now until they’re able to gauge its success over the next year once a family is placed.  

They are still taking applications through their website. The deadline to submit those is Monday, November 18th.