Department of Health and Human Services
 

Ending Chronic Homelessness in Milwaukee County by 2018

What Is Milwaukee County Housing First?

Housing First Does Exactly What It Says

We provide housing...first.

The Housing First philosophy provides housing to those most in need without pre-condition. This is because, we have found, the most vulnerable in our community can only solve one life-changing problem at a time. When you are living outside, without a roof over your head or knowing where your next meal will come from, that instantly becomes your most important problem.

Demanding the chronically homeless demonstrate sobriety, a clean bill of mental health, employment or anything else is, from what we have seen, putting the cart before the horse.

However, when you remove that housing problem, suddenly the next problem facing that individual becomes "most important," whether it be starting the road to recovery from undiagnosed mental health problems or substance abuse.

Moreover, Milwaukee County Housing First saves a lot of money.

DONATE NOW

Your contribution to the Housing First Endowment through the Key to Change program helps house the chronically homeless. It also ensures that the people we help won't suddenly find themselves back outside due to political decisions made hundreds of miles away.

DONATE HERE

Housing First Works

Milwaukee County Housing First costs approximately $2 million per year. For that we have...

Reduced Medicare costs by...

$2.1M

...per year and counting.

 

Reduced mental health costs by...

$715k

...per year and counting.

 

Reduced costs to our legal system by...

$600k

...per year and counting.

 

The Milwaukee County Housing First Community

Resident Advisory Council

The Housing First Resident Advisory Council exists to give residents a vehicle to evaluate the Housing First program, offer recommendations and provide opportunities to residents to improve the quality of their lives. The council meets regularly and is comprised of both Housing First residents and staff.

The Resident Advisory Council recognizes that residents face a new set of challenges once they acquire permanent housing through the program. Some of their new challenges are easily identifiable. Some surface over time. All need to be addressed. Opportunities for social contact and continued care will be provided through Resident Advisory Council initiatives, as isolation is prevalent among the chronically homeless and newly housed.

The Resident Advisory Council also serves as a training tool for Housing First staff. Staff members learn more about the challenges and needs of the chronically homeless and newly housed as they interact with them over time. The Resident Advisory Council is a bridge that links the two.

Personal Development and Creative Expression

Telling your story is an act of empowerment.

People overcoming chronic homelessness and other life-dominating issues have a lifetime of stories to tell. Housing First Milwaukee residents are survivors who are learning how to thrive.

So pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and read what they have to say about themselves as they adjust to a life with a set of keys they can call their own. Look through their lens and see the world the way they see it.

Enjoy and be challenged - Robert, Resident Advisory Council member

Community Integration

The way the people of Milwaukee County have embraced Milwaukee County Housing First has been humbling.  Whether it is the myriad donations of money and personal items (from clothes to deoderant) from the community, the month-long donation drive put on by Blue's Egg, or the production of a resident artwork gallery by the Grand Avenue Club, every effort is another step closer for each resident to re-join life in our community.

Who Helps Make This Happen?

Dozens of organizations and private individuals have partnered with us in this effort. Milwaukeeans have shown so much energy and generosity that we couldn't possibly list everyone who makes this work possible. Some donors and volunteers hope to remain anonymous. But we offer the deepest thanks to everyone who worked, gave money, gave ideas, listened, called, donated items, donated time, spread the word, retweeted, forgave, negotiated, compromised or smiled on a Monday.

City of Milwaukee U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development City of Milwaukee Housing Authority County of Milwaukee

 

The Guest House Hope House Community Advocates The Cathedral Center The Salvation Army

 

Impact Incorporated City of Milwaukee Police Department Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Pathfinders Milwaukee Center for Veterans Issues

 

United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County Grand Avenue Club Blue's Egg 30 Seconds Away film Goodwill Industries

 

Society of St. Vincent de Paul City of West Allis

MILWAUKEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

1220 W. Vliet St.

Suite 301

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53205

Our Vision

Together, creating healthy communities.

Our Mission

Empowering safe, healthy, meaningful lives.

Our Values

Partnership, Respect, Integrity, 

Diversity, Excellence

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