MILWAUKEE — Monday morning was the coldest of the season so far, and overnight Tuesday will be even colder, with wind chills dropping into the single digits. Temperatures like these are especially dangerous for Wisconsin’s homeless population.

But most warming shelters in Milwaukee won’t open until Friday, Dec. 1 or Monday, Dec. 4. They typically stay open until March 31.

Anyone in need of a place to stay before warming shelters officially open, is urged to call 211 or 877-947-2211 from anywhere in Wisconsin. An operator is on hand 24 hours a day, to help refer you to a safe place to go.  They can also help with utilities, food, employment, addiction recovery, etc.

What You Need To Know

  • Warming shelters in Milwaukee will open Friday, Dec. 1
  • Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church welcomes about 20 people every night from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next day

  • Guest House, which is located on North 13th Street between Juneau and McKinley Avenues, is the largest publicly funded homeless shelter in Milwaukee. It houses about 200 men every winter, and the need is growing.

Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee has been opening its basement as a warming center every winter for 15 years now. It’s run entirely by church volunteers. They welcome about 20 people every night from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next day. Anyone who comes to use it, must pass a drug test.

“It’s just a place where we are constantly trying to create a supportive and nurturing environment for them,” said Pastor Trish Eckert, who has been busy sorting through blankets and donations for this season. “Just the look on people’s faces, it’s a gift to witness.”

Eckert and her team have been spending this week deep cleaning and preparing to open by Friday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

Stephen Bauer, the interim CEO of Guest House, is also busy preparing for more people.

Guest House, which is located on North 13th Street between Juneau and McKinley Avenues, is the largest publicly funded homeless shelter in Milwaukee. It houses about 200 men every winter, and the need is growing.

“Every year there are hundreds of folks who find themselves outside of a housing situation,” said Bauer. “Maybe they fell on hard times, medical bills. It doesn’t take much these days for people to fall into homelessness.”

Bauer said there is always a need for more volunteers, monetary donations, warm clothes, and supplies. 

In addition to Guest House and Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church, the following locations have been designated as warming shelters:

  • Milwaukee County’s Hillview, 1615 S. 22nd Street
  • Greater Galilee Baptist Church, 2432 N. Teutonia Avenue
  • St. Ben’s, 930 W. State Street, but only if the temperature is 25 degrees that evening.
  • Repairers of the Breach, 1335 W. Vliet Street
  • The Milwaukee Rescue Mission, 830 N. 19th Street

For a full list of warming shelters in Milwaukee, click here.

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