APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A new study highlights the growing problem of homelessness in the Fox Cities.
As the temperatures drop, people bundle up and rush inside. But some people aren’t taking a warm place to go for granted.
“On cold nights, cold days like this, if it gets under 10 degrees below zero then we really look at absolutely bringing everyone in. Even if it’s squeezing and using all the space possible in our shelters,” said Scott Peeples, senior director of community engagement for Pillars warming shelters.
He tells FOX 11 fitting everyone in is tough.
“It’s really been like that the last several years we’re filling every bed every night really.”
Pillars is not alone. The new study shows that shelters all throughout the Fox Cities have been seeing an increase in people throughout the last six years.
“The LIFE Study is a community needs assessment to understand emerging needs in the community,” said Tony Gonzalez with the United Way.
The study is funded by the United Way, the Fox Cities Community Foundation and the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.
“This most recent release has pointed out a trend we’re seeing within the homeless population,” said Gonzalez.
Of the six shelters that were looked at, the study found that the annual population being housed in shelters grew by more than 40%.
In 2017, 2,041 people were housed overall. In 2018, that number grew to 2,854.
“We are aware of that. We’re staying on top of it,” said Peeples.
Peeples says the reason could be growth.
“I think in general the Fox Cities is growing, so when you get growth with people who are high-wage earners, you also get growth in people who are not making enough. There are some people in and out of the shelter, the adult shelter in particular, who we’re speeding up how quickly we can get them back into their own housing.”
He says Pillars is focused on providing resources to people to combat the growing issue.
