Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele was joined by county and city leaders last week as he unveiled a new plan to end chronic homelessness in Milwaukee.
The plan follows a "housing first" model, providing homeless people first with stable housing, regardless of their mental health or addiction. Then, they are connected with case management professionals to address their healthcare needs -- right on site -- at their new homes. Residents will also receive job readiness training to help them find work.
The Abele plan will create housing for 300 people identified as "chronically homeless." Abele said a chronic case involves someone who is disabled and has experienced homelessness for a year or more or has had four or more episodes of homelessness in three years.
About 200 people in Milwaukee fall into this category, according to Abele.
Construction will soon begin at the Thurgood Marshall Apartments, 1918 N. 6th St., and it is the first in a series of housing developments planned over three years.
The plan is a partnership with the City of Milwaukee, which provides approximately $900,000 to offset the cost of housing, according to Mayor Tom Barrett.
Annually, the program will receive $1.8 million in public funding.
Click the podcast player above to listen in on a recent press conference and hear remarks from Abele and Barrett.
