Madison moves forward on several solutions for homeless residents

[TexasTowelie]

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, unhoused Madison residents moved around the city as rules on where people could sleep outside changed, disrupting the residents' lives and compelling action from local policymakers.

City officials are pursuing solutions on several levels, from a permanent men’s shelter to a temporary, managed camping site.

“We are working on a number of fronts on the issue of homelessness,” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said. “I feel quite hopeful.”

While the political will in Madison is as close as it’s ever been to securing a permanent men’s shelter, the logistics of acquiring real estate and preparing a facility are time consuming. Community Development Director Jim O’Keefe said it could still be two to three years before a shelter opens. And that estimate hinges on the city securing a site relatively quickly.

Read more: https://madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/madison-moves-forward-on-several-solutions-for-homeless-residents/article_2aefda92-12b0-5528-8511-7df662c65739.html

[sybylla]

1. I am slightly confused about why it should take so long.

I mean, in my little village in central WI, they were able to take control of a restaurant and motel for non-payment of taxes in less than six months.

You can't tell me there aren't properties in Madison that would fall under similar qualifications that could be suitable for temporary shelter until something better is built.

I get the whole inspection/regulatory side of this. But still, years? It seems as though they are making it harder than it has to be.