GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Officials in Green Bay are hoping to mirror the success of other Wisconsin communities in the fight against homelessness.
“I worked with the Milwaukee outreach teach for four, five, years and we saw tremendous success with meeting people where they’re at,” explains Zach Chartrand, a leader with the Brown County Homeless and Housing Coalition.
To better tackle the problem, a collaborative effort is being put in place between the Brown County Homeless and Housing Coalition and the Green Bay Police Department.
The two have joined to create a Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), which is dedicated to completing street outreach in the community.
For Chartrand, he wants to improve the options available to those currently out on the streets.
“The housing needs in our community are very complex,” he explains. “They vary from unstable housing for families and individuals, to mental health issues, and AOD issues, to inadequate shelter space for families.”
Often times it’s Green Bay Police officers that are making initial contact with those in tough spots.
“For us, it’s about providing those initial steps of safety and creating those initial steps of safety and stability, then we want to take it to the next level to create some permanent housing,” explains Officer Paul VanHandel.
While officers get out and try to make as much contact as possible, they simply aren’t capable of keeping tabs on every situation.
“If someone sees someone is in the community that looks like they need help, they’re living in a park, or car please contact us,” says Officer VanHandel.
The Green Bay Police Department encourages the community to contact them for more information.
While the Brown County Homeless and Housing Coalition Facebook page is another resource for anyone seeking additional information on the effort.
