APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Across the Fox Cities, there is a 30 % increase in homelessness compared to just a year ago.
“Under bridges, they are in the woods, they are in 24-hour businesses,” said Coordinated Entry Specialist in the City of Appleton’s Community and Economic Development office, Ryne Lodl.
Lodl says Fox Cities’ latest Point-in-Time count showed 41 unsheltered persons living on the streets. Seven months ago they counted 23.
In January 2020 there were 21 people and 32 in July.
And in 2019, there were 13 that winter and 32 that summer.
“Do you know why there are a little bit more people out on the streets right now?” asked Fox 11.
“I think we’re doing a better job at identifying them, there are more resources that have been put into street outreach,” said Lodl, “Through some CDBG, Community Development Block Grant funding the city specifically received in regards to covid.”
The City of Appleton invested in two street outreach positions with assistance program ADVOCAP and the Boys and Girls Club.
This means more people searching for the homeless on the streets and a more accurate homeless count than ever before.
“What’s the outcome of this right? We are probably going to find more people, probably find more families, they can hide more than others,” said Lodl.
For the 41 people identified this summer, “It was all single households or couples without children, with the exception of one, all were 25 and older,” said Lodl.
Lodl says some don’t want to access shelter; they’d rather be outside. But there are wrap-around services and motel vouchers for the homeless.
Now that there is a more accurate number of what homelessness looks like in the Fox Cities, officials in Appleton say they will focus on affordable housing and finding community partnerships.
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