MILWAUKEE — A homeless encampment has been growing on Milwaukee’s Near West Side as 60 to 70 tents take up space in the area of 14th and Vliet.
Alice, who asked that we not publish her last name due to privacy reasons, has been living in the encampment for over a month now.
She said after her husband passed away with brain cancer in 2020, she went on a downward spiral and lost her home.
“This is my fourth tent; I have only been here a month,” said Alice. “I had to do some sexual activity to get money to pay for this tent and the others, the first one was free and now I am just struggling.”
Alice said many of the homeless shelters she reached out to were full when she came to the city.
She said there were some that offered her housing but due to poor conditions and rules she turned them down.
“I tried treatment, but that didn’t work out and I didn’t have anywhere to go after that,” said Alice.
Alice said she struggles with addiction and has health issues that prevent her from working.
“I need help financially, spiritually, emotionally and mentally,” said Alice.
Ironically, Alice is sleeping just blocks away from the Guest House which is only able to offer housing for men.
There are several nonprofit organizations, outreach workers and shelters throughout Milwaukee County to help people like Alice.
In previous years, the county was recognized for having the nation’s lowest unsheltered homeless population.
Radonte Ashford is the pastor of Infinite Church in Milwaukee. He and his team serve those who are unhoused by bringing them clothes, food and toiletries.
“Currently, we are advocating to bring awareness first and foremost to this area and resources,” said Ashford. “The fact that we have a skid row of some sorts developing in our city is troubling.”
Ashford said there are close to 70 tents in the area and the encampment is located between what he says are two empty buildings.
He said that he would like to see those buildings repurposed to house those looking for a place to live.
“Are we able to rehabilitate one of these buildings and possibly provide some level of shelter?” said Ashford. “The winter months it gets really cold here and can you imagine trying to make it through a winter in Milwaukee in that tent?”
Kenneth Dukes is currently living at the Guest House. He said several times during his life were spent living out on the streets.
“Things happen in different ways, money problems, drugs, situations. Like I said, the strong survive and the weak fall,” said Dukes.
Dukes said he believes there are enough resources in the city to help everyone.
He said people like Alice have to want help to receive it.
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink and the same way with people, you can lead them to the resources and they will say, ‘Oh not right now, I want this or that’ and they will say, ‘It is not right,’” said Dukes.
Most shelters have rules, such as no drugs or alcohol and no weapons. The time people can stay at shelters also varies from one day to 90 days.
Alice said she has not received the help she needs yet, and she worries about making it to the next day.
“I am worried about everything,” said Alice. “I am worried about today. I came into my tent last night and there were over 50 to 60 rats running out of it.”
Ashford is pushing for an empty building in Milwaukee on the Near West Side to be turned into a shelter of some sort.
He said he is hoping to connect with the county as well as other nonprofit organizations to find these people housing.
If you are interested in getting involved to help find these people housing, you can contact the Infinite Church at 414-885-3499 or info@theinfinitechurch.com.