Eau Claire City Council Seeks Federal Help with Homeless Issues

The Eau Claire City Council passed an advisory resolution to ask state and federal agencies for more help with growing homelessness.

The Chippewa Valley has seen a drastic rise in homelessness over the last few years. Over the summer, a point in time survey found that the number of identified unhoused individuals had doubled in just a few months, with the largest percentage of that population in Eau Claire County.

Since that survey, City officials have been working on solutions to the problem in difficult conditions. The City has a vacancy rate of about 4%, which is far below the statewide average of 11%. That lack of available housing on top of the rising cost of living makes adequate short-term solutions difficult.

The advisory resolution passed on Tuesday was meant to highlight those struggles to state and federal officials in the hopes that it could result in more funding. According to a WEAU report, City Council President Emily Berge says local tax revenue simply is not enough to address the problems. Local shelter officials have also reported a lack of space and resources to help the unhoused population just as the winter weather begins to settle in for the season.

While seeking more resources to fully address the struggles facing the unhoused population, the City of Eau Claire has sought short-term solutions. The proposed city budget includes more funding for services to help that population, including a street ambassador program to connect unhoused individuals with essential services. The City Council is also considering limits on short-term rental properties in the hopes that they will create more affordable housing options.