The Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) and the Street Angels nonprofit group are at odds about what would be in the best interest of some of the state’s most vulnerable. | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Homeless_in_New_York_City..jpg
The Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) and the Street Angels nonprofit group are at odds about what would be in the best interest of some of the state’s most vulnerable. | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Homeless_in_New_York_City..jpg
The Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) and the Street Angels nonprofit group are at odds about what would be in the best interest of some of the state’s most vulnerable.
FOX6.com reports the two sides openly disagree about the best way to make use of critical resources in combating the state’s growing crisis of homelessness.
"These are the tents we hand out," Street Angels executive director Eva Welch said of the growing number of tents that can now be seen going up around MacArthur Square. "They’re very small, one-man, barely one-man tents. People still need to survive outdoors, and in Wisconsin, sometimes, that means a tent and a blanket."
At least three nights of each week, Street Angels members work the streets, passing out tents and supplies from the group’s travel bus to about 200 needy individuals a night.
As well intended as their actions may be, downtown authorities argue there’s been a price to pay for how the Street Angels have operated, namely keeping people from focusing on long-term solutions to their problem.
"Individuals that may say, ‘Sure, I’m interested in housing,’ and then the next day they say, ‘No, I have a tent now and my friends are bringing me food three times a week, so I’m good,’" BID CEO Beth Weirick told FOX.
Weirick said the Housing First program has the backing of many of its partners, adding they are now drafting a letter urging community leaders to devote resources to shelters and housing instead of organizations like the Street Angels.
"If we’re going to spend money on resources, let’s spend money on the resources to really, truly end homelessness," Weirick added.
Welch stressed that Street Angels also work to connect people with housing, but there simply isn’t enough to extend to everyone. Until more is made available, she added group members plan to continue doing all they can to make sleeping outside as comfortable as possible.
"Tents don’t cause or enable homelessness," said Welch. "What they do provide is a little bit of dignity, a little bit of protection, and a little bit of warmth."
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