MILWAUKEE — Last month, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) confirmed with Spectrum News 1 that it set the deadline of Thursday, May 16, for people living at Milwaukee area park and rides to vacate the lots.
At the time, WisDOT said the deadline stood, but it was not enforcing it yet to give people time who are working with Milwaukee County housing services to find a permanent place to live.
On Saturday June 8, there were reports of the park and rides being cleared out. A spokesperson for WisDOT said all of the vehicles and property that had been removed from park and rides so far are being considered “abandoned.”
The spokesperson said that WisDOT will continue removing “abandoned” property and vehicles from the park and rides “for the time being,” as various agencies continue working with those living at the park and rides to find them shelter somewhere else.
“The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and its partners have coordinated a collaborative approach aimed to help individuals living at park and ride lots find more suitable and safer housing options,” WisDOT said.
WisDOT said so far, Milwaukee County Housing Services staff have been on site and park and ride locations in Milwaukee. Recently, they’ve helped more than 55 people in need find shelter so far.
“Partnering agencies will continue these outreach efforts, connecting individuals with resources and working with them to find long-term housing. Refuse cleanup, removal of abandoned property and vehicles, and other efforts are also underway to return park and ride lots to their intended use,” WisDOT said.
WisDOT, Milwaukee County Housing Services, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Milwaukee County Department of Transportation, Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and the City of Milwaukee will continue to monitor the lots and determine what next steps should be taken. WisDOT said all of those officials are prioritizing the health and safety of the unhoused population living at the lots as well as the broader community.
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