Waukesha emergency overflow shelter to reopen; bitter cold settles in
WAUKESHA, Wis. - The Waukesha winter overflow shelter is set to reopen after a major setback.
Shelter reopening on Jan. 16
What we know:
When other area shelters fill up, men, women and families are directed to the winter overflow shelter in Waukesha. Staff helped 100 people in 2024. Now, it is set to reopen on Thursday, Jan. 16 after a sprinkler burst.
Kathleen Fisher said the break happened in December 2024 – just before doors were set to open to those in need. Water flowed everywhere. Fisher said it took two weeks just to dry out the building.
What they're saying:
"The ceiling was torn down, the lights were hanging from the ceiling," Fisher said. "It was unfortunate. We had a sprinkler burst and it created a significant of damage here."
All of the floors had to be replaced. But more importantly, leaders had to find somewhere warm for four women and three whole families to go when the overflow shelter was not an option.
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"There was a lot of moisture – about a foot above the floor. They had to do flood cuts all over," Fisher said. "When our beds were full at the local shelters we were able to transfer people to motels – from there, we’ll be moving them back from the motels to the shelter."
The backstory:
FOX6 News has followed this project since the beginning. First, in spring 2021, when the Housing Action Coalition of Waukesha County proposed turning an old firehouse into a homeless shelter.
We came back in January 2022 when crews started moving in.
Waukesha helps homeless battle bitter cold with overflow shelter
With bitter cold temperatures gripping southeast Wisconsin, there is now a plan in Waukesha to help the homeless battle the winter chill.
What you can do:
Volunteers will be in Tuesday and Wednesday getting things ready at the shelter. Organizers say insurance paid for the cleanup, but they need funds to help buy supplies.
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"We still need supplies, hygiene supplies, cleaning, nonperishable food items – we need volunteers," said Joe Nettesheim, the executive director of Family Promise of Waukesha County, one of the shelter's partners.
If you would like to pitch in, you are invited to donate to the Waukesha winter overflow shelter via its website.
The Source: The information in this post was produced by FOX6 News.