By Christina Luick - Conley Publishing Group
OZAUKEE COUNTY — In partnership with Family Promise of Ozaukee County, Inc., Ozaukee County is seeking funds to develop an emergency shelter in the community. The Ozaukee County Health and Human Services Committee approved going through the process to apply for funds from the Community Development Block Grant -Coronavirus through the CARES Act.
FPOZ is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that works to help the homeless in Ozaukee County. Through their Emergency Shelter program, they used congregations to provide shelter and meals for those in need. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, churches closed and the organization began renting hotel rooms for households who were homeless. County Administrator Jason Dzwinel said they spend approximately $14,000 a month to house people in hotel rooms.
FPOZ is looking to develop a homeless shelter in Port Washington that could support 125 individuals annually. The funds from the grant would be used to cover the cost of building acquisition, renovation work and shelter operation, which would be executed by FPOZ. The estimated total cost of the project is over $1.3 million.
“Currently, the county doesn’t have any permanent homeless shelter for folks other than folks who are seeking relief from domestic violence or things of that nature,” said Policy and Budget Analyst Jason Wittek.
No county funds are required for the initial development of the project, Dzwinel said. The county is required to administer the grant.
The county submitted the intent to apply Nov. 20 to support the development of the homeless shelter. The state will let the county know by Dec. 18 if they will be invited to submit a final application, which would be due in February.