MADISON, Wis. — Dane County may provide an additional $1.5 million to build the area’s first “purpose-built” emergency overnight shelter for men who are homeless, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced on Monday.
The additional funds were part of Parisi's 2024 budget proposal and would bring the county’s total investment in the facility to $10.5 million.
This will be the area's first "purpose-built" shelter, meaning the building itself is primarily meant to serve people who are homeless. Other area shelters are often run out of church basements or other smaller spaces.
Officials said the added funds will help with the facility’s programming and services — including daytime programming and services space for shelter guests. County leaders also said they want to lower long-term operating costs, implement sustainability measures and install an emergency backup power system.
The shelter will be built at 1904 Bartillon Drive in Madison.
Once finished, the shelter is expected to house up to 250 men experiencing homelessness. Dane County said “shelter guests will receive assistance to connect to services that include housing, behavioral health, medical and employment supports.”
“Emergency shelter plays an integral role in helping our neighbors experiencing homelessness move into housing and achieve economic stability. A safe, welcoming shelter space with consistent connection to case management and community services goes hand in hand with the County’s ongoing efforts to increase access to and availability of new affordable housing units,” Parisi wrote in a press release.
Dane County is working alongside the City of Madison to help men experiencing homelessness. Local leaders said the COVID-19 pandemic helped rally community support for the new shelter. Officials said a larger, temporary shelter in the City of Madison during that time led to “better service outcomes” for those in need.
“This commitment moves us one step closer to having our community’s first, and long-overdue, purpose-built shelter where residents can connect to housing navigation services and other resources that will help them on their journey to more permanent housing. The City greatly appreciates the partnership with Dane County in this endeavor, and County Executive Parisi’s leadership in moving it forward,” Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said.
The entire project is estimated to cost $23.5 million.