Targeted outreach reaches 80 high‑concern individuals; county reports 9 housed so far

Jim Drees, La Crosse County’s homelessness response system project manager, said the county compiled a list of roughly 80 individuals identified by police, parks and other agencies as creating the most concern downtown and began targeted outreach in spring. "Of those 80 individuals, the 1st thing we did is started working through that list," Drees said.

Drees summarized outcomes for that list: more than 40 individuals received shelter-bed offers; 6 individuals accepted shelter and stayed there, 12 accepted and later left for rule violations or other reasons, 20 declined for reasons such as pets or partner concerns, and 10 were banned at times from the shelter. Overall, Drees said 9 of the 80 have been housed so far.

Officials stressed outreach is voluntary and repetitive offers are needed to build trust. Sampson and Drees described daily outreach, coordination with Salvation Army shelter staff to match available beds and ongoing efforts to document reasons for declines so the system can adjust offers and supports.

Drees cautioned that congregate shelter settings can be traumatic for some people with intensive mental-health or substance-use needs, a factor that limits shelter uptake and supports the need for alternate treatment-to-housing packages.