Appleton provides nearly $300,000 to Pillars to assist people who experience homelessness
APPLETON - The city has struck an agreement to provide $288,000 in federal funds to Pillars Inc. to assist people who experience homelessness.
Appleton received the money as a community development block grant through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The legislation was designed to soften the economic and housing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
A majority of the amount ($222,000) will support Pillars' Winter Shelter Overflow Program that runs from Oct. 15 to April 15. It will provide motel vouchers to people in need of housing.
"This project aims to prevent individuals and families experiencing homelessness from sleeping in places not meant for human habitation while waiting to enter a local shelter during the cold winter months," community development specialist Nikki Gerhard said.
The balance of the money ($66,000) will be used to extend hours of operation and access to resources to weekends through Pillars' Seven Days Service Program.
The Pillars Resource Center, 129 S. Mason St., currently is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and provides a safe place for respite along with activities for engagement and social interaction. Though the additional funding, the Pillars Adult Shelter, 1928 W. College Ave., will offer these services on Saturdays and Sundays.
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Appleton's Community & Economic Development Committee endorsed the use of the funds Wednesday.
"We are thrilled to work side by side with our partners at the city of Appleton to care more effectively for our community's most vulnerable members this winter," Pillars Executive Director Lisa Strandberg said. "Safety for those experiencing homelessness is critical to all of us."
Strandberg said Pillars operates two shelters in Appleton: one accommodates 55 adults and the other, 400 N. Division St. accommodates 80 adults and children. "We operate both of those shelters at capacity with a waitlist daily, 365 days a year," she said.
The Winter Shelter Overflow Program is open to people who are eligible for shelter but cannot immediately get into a shelter due to capacity constraints. It will provide temporary, alternate housing accommodations to those in the community who are experiencing homelessness and have nowhere else to stay. Pillars’ staff will conduct check-ins and monitor client adherence to shelter policies while using the program.
Once in Pillars’ shelter programs, clients receive case management services to help with securing safe, affordable and sustainable housing to end their homelessness episode.
"We are fortunate to have a community partner like Pillars to support those experiencing homelessness,” Mayor Jake Woodford said. "As a city, we are working to address homelessness and its associated challenges through a holistic approach that includes, but isn't limited to, partnerships to enhance shelter resources within the city."
Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DukeBehnke.
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This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton provides $288,000 to help people who experience homelessness
