Source:
channel 3000The homeless in Madison might have a place to stay warm during cold winter days after all.
City officials gave approval to a plan to provide daytime shelter to the homeless in an empty downtown auto dealership. The building on East Washington Avenue, part of the old Don Miller site, was purchased by the city for a redevelopment project that has yet to begin.
With the Central Library closed for renovations and the Capitol cafeteria closed to the public, there were few options left for Madison's homeless during cold winter days. But come mid-December, that will change.
"We're going to make it work," said Steve Schooler, executive director of Porchlight. "With the other locations, we were trying to figure out how to van people from the downtown to other spaces. This is within walking distance for most people from the shelters where they stay."
Porchlight is the group that will be turning the lights on inside the old car showroom. Part of the deal with the city includes a zero-rent lease, but the utilities won't come free. Schooler estimates it will cost about $1,000-$2,000 per month.
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