Homeless Unit

Homeless Assistance / Prevention

CONTACT
Jacob Johnson
Homeless Prevention Unit Co-Supervisor
jacob@cwcac.org
(608) 254-8353 ext. 247

ADAMS COUNTY
Brian Downey
brian@cwcac.org
(608) 393-5478
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance.

COLUMBIA COUNTY
Wendy Losacker
wendy@cwcac.org
(608) 742-3320
Mon, Tues, Wed. Closed: Thurs & Fri.
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance, motel vouchers.

DODGE COUNTY
Corinna Jimenez
corinna@cwcac.org
(920) 885-9559
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance.

JUNEAU COUNTY
Ashley Torres
Homeless Prevention Unit Co-Supervisor
ashley@cwcac.org
(608) 847-1124
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance.

SAUK COUNTY
Kati Fry
kati@cwcac.org
(608) 355-4807
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance, and motel vouchers.

CWCAC Homeless Programs provide assistance to currently homeless and those at risk of being homeless individuals and households depending on funding availability, and may vary by county.

Crisis Assistance

This program provides a one-time assistance to households-generally rent. This program actually combines different funding sources including Emergency Food & Shelter Program, National Exchange Bank, Salvation Army, and United Way. Client applications are reviewed and approved based on a number of criteria, including funding availability, the ability to positively resolve the crisis, and other factors.

STATE OF HOMELESS REPORT

HOMELESS UNIT

Emergency Food & Shelter

This program is a restricted federal grant. Program expenditures are limited to food, meals, shelter (motel/hotel vouchers), and rent assistance. EFSP is governed by a National Board that selects jurisdictions for funding, and based on the latest census and unemployment figures determines the amount of funding, and based on the Local Boards are then convened to determine the highest need and best use of those funds to select Local Recipient Organizations to provide emergency food and shelter services. Each year, needs are reassessed in an effort to adapt to community needs. We receive EFSP funds in two of the five counties (Juneau & Dodge). The criteria we use is that we will provide rental assistance to the individuals or families with a five-day eviction notice and verification of employment.

Sauk County Rapid Rehousing

This program provides housing assistance and services to Sauk County families who are soon to be or are experiencing homelessness. Families, who have adequate income to continue paying rent after initial help, are quickly re-housed and stabilized with wrap around case management and community services. Funds received for this program are provided by Sauk County.

Dodge County Rapid Rehousing

Same as Sauk, but not limited to families.

Project Chance & TBRA

Project Chance is a supportive housing program for homeless families or individuals funded by a HUD Continuum of Care Grant. Tenant Based Rental Assistance is funded by the State of Wisconsin Division of Energy, Housing & Community Resources. The three goals of the programs are to help participants obtain and remain in permanent housing, to help participants increase skill and or income, and to help the participants achieve greater self-determination. Case Managers work with program participants to obtain mainstream benefits such as Food Share or SSI, W-2. Education/job skills training, counseling for mental health or AODA issues, childcare, etc. Clients pay 30% of their adjusted gross income to the landlord for their share of the rent. The agency must provide cash match, which comes in the form of office space/utilities, Case Managers travel, staff wages, etc.

Youth Homeless Demonstration Program (YHDP)

The Youth Homeless Demonstration Program (YHDP), offered by Central Wisconsin Community Action Council (CWCAC), provides comprehensive support for youth ages 17 ½ to 24 experiencing homelessness. Utilizing a Housing First and Trauma-Informed Care approach, YHDP ensures youth are housed promptly while addressing barriers to achieving permanent housing stability.

The program includes three key components:

• System Navigation (ages 17 ½ – 24): Dedicated navigators guide youth through the housing system, offering personalized support and resources.
• Transitional Housing (ages 18 – 24): Temporary housing with tailored support to help youth transition to long-term stability.
• Rapid Re-Housing (ages 18 – 24): Assistance with securing apartments, providing security deposits, and up to 12 months of rental support, with clients contributing 30% of their income toward rent and utilities.

Eligible participants must be on the homeless prioritization list and may qualify if they are currently homeless or in a domestic violence situation. Case managers collaborate with participants to identify and address barriers, empowering them to achieve sustainable housing.

CWCAC serves the counties of Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Juneau, and Sauk. Program success is bolstered by the Youth Action Board—comprising youth with lived homelessness experience—who play an active role in program design and implementation.
For more information, contact:

Rachel Cross
Youth System Navigator
1-608-844-9592 | Rachel@cwcac.org

New Beginnings Homeless Shelter of Dodge County

We partner with New Beginnings Homeless Shelter of Beaver Dam.

HUD Homeless Assistance Agencies Wisconsin

WERA INFORMATION
The Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance program is no longer accepting applications based on funding availability. Due to the volume of pending applications, financial assistance is not guaranteed.

United Way / United Fund

We receive funds from United Way of Dodge County, Baraboo United Fund, Wisconsin Dells Area United Fund and United Way of South Wood & Adams County (for Adams County). We use these funds for rent assistance for families or individuals. If rent assistance, there must be verification of employment and the landlord must agree they will not evict the household for the next 30 days.