Another suggestion has been made regarding how to combat homelessness in Shawano, and it’s a tiny one.
Two Shawano residents who have been advocating for the homeless in the community brought the idea of tiny homes to the Shawano Common Council on Sept. 10. They noted that it’s helping to combat the situation in cities like Oshkosh and Chippewa Falls.
Mark Quast pointed out that having a place to live is a requirement for anyone seeking a job. Oftentimes, he said, employers won’t hire homeless for concerns of reliability, cleanliness, etc.
“Right now, if you don’t have a place to live, you can’t get a job,” Quast said. “If you have intermediate housing and stuff like that for the homeless people, they can get a job.”
Chippewa Falls built tiny houses to help homeless transition to more traditional housing, Quast said. He noted that in Germany, officials have built “safe housing” with solar power for homeless people.
“I would ask for the board to consider intermediate housing for the homeless so they can get a job and be productive members of the city of Shawano,” Quast said.
Matthew Klein, who had been homeless himself until recently, also argued for having tiny homes or some kind of housing for those in need, noting that Oshkosh and Chippewa Falls are also taking the tiny homes route as a “compassionate” way to combat its homeless problem.
“Hope Village in Chippewa Falls is a shining example of how communities can come together to provide sustainable housing solutions for those in need,” Klein said. “Operated as a nonprofit organization, Hope Village employs a multifaceted strategy that includes sheltering, mentoring and educating its guests to guide them toward stable and permanent housing.”
The homes include an enclosed sleeping area, kitchenette and bathroom with chemical toilet, according to Klein. In Chippewa Falls, the community center provides shower and laundry facilities and serves as an emergency shelter when severe weather hits the community, he said.
“This program has proven highly effective in helping individuals transition from homelessness to stable living environments, demonstrating a profound impact of community-supported housing initiatives,” Klein said.
Tiny houses are a big part of Oshkosh’s efforts to eradicate homelessness, Klein said. He said those homes provide a sense of safety and security while people try to rebuild their finances.
“Highlights include 32 furnished units, each providing a dignified living space for families,” Klein said. “Residents receive comprehensive support through partly nonprofits.”
He added that families can stay in the homes rent-free for up to two years while rebuilding their finances.
“Both Chippewa Falls and Oshkosh proudly embrace the slogan ‘No homeless in our community,’ reflecting their commitment to ending homelessness through active, compassionate action,” Klein said. “Shawano can adopt a similar vision by creating a tiny homes community tailored to our unique needs. The benefits to Shawano are significant — a permanent solution offering lasting stability and a path to self-sufficiency, cost-effectiveness and community strength by reducing the strain on emergency services and fostering a stronger, more connected community.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
