UPDATE: Statement from Winnebago County Executive Jon Doemel:
Beginning this evening at 6pm, the county will run a shelter at the location of the Day-by-Day Warming Shelter at 449 High Avenue. The county is being supported by the city of Oshkosh.
As more information becomes available, we will update. At this time, we cannot process donations or volunteer offers.
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OSHKOSH, WI — Winnebago County will be providing emergency housing to homeless people due to the upcoming winter storm. The operators of the Day By Day Warming Shelter informed Winnebago County that the shelter would be closing because of severe staffing shortages. County Executive Jon Doemel Tuesday told the board of supervisors he’s issuing an emergency order making the county a de facto homeless shelter operator. Doemel acknowledges that will be a challenge.
“Unfortunately, some high risk individuals are not going to be able to be housed in shelters or hotels,” Doemel said. “We’ll need staff to fill the hours between 4:00 Pm and 8:00 A.M. to ensure shelter is available.”
Doemel says financial incentives are being offered to county employees who volunteer to help. He also says Oshkosh Police will be providing security for sheltering operations. Doemel says the county has to take action.
“It’s cases like this where government needs to step up to ensure that shelter is there for the most vulnerable in our communities,” Doemel said. “A storm hits, a shelter needs to be in place.”
Doemel says employees stepping up to help will be debriefed to ensure they’re the right fit for meeting this homeless challenge. Its not been determined exactly where shelter facilities would be located. That emergency declaration is expected to be in effect for three weeks.
