Dear readers,

We have a very direct request of you today, as part of the follow-up to our recent statewide reporting and editorial project on homelessness in Wisconsin: Please call today and urge your state senator to support Senate approval of eight nonpartisan bills that would launch $7.5 million in new funds to combat homelessness in our state.

The bills, based on recommendations from the state’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, have already been approved by the Assembly, way back in June. Gov. Tony Evers has pledged his support and is ready to sign the bills. They simply await Senate action, and there’s only one more chance for that action this year.

The state Senate will be in session for only one more day this fall – Tuesday, Nov. 5 – so it’s imperative that Wisconsin residents everywhere act now to urge senators to pass this much-needed legislation. The bills would provide short-term grants or loans to defray housing costs, help struggling people find housing, create more beds at shelters, pay for skills training, help landlords repair low-cost rentals, and increase grants to housing operators and service providers.

We know that all of those things are desperately needed in the complex and multi-faceted fight against homelessness. Please join in that fight by calling your senator today. The clock is ticking, and winter is coming.

If you are unsure how to contact your senator, visit https://legis.wisconsin.gov to get names and contact information. To learn more about the issue of homelessness in Wisconsin, and to review the recent reporting project, visit https://bit.ly/2MAYVNz

Patrick Wood

Publisher