BETTER TOGETHER. The City of Eau Claire has seen an increase in the number of unhoused people in recent years, and a new collaborative effort aims to better address the growing homelessness issue. Pictured is Sojourner House, Eau Claire's only overnight shelter.

A September film screening about Milwaukee’s approach to reducing chronic homelessness has catalyzed the creation of a new broad-based partnership that aims to put Eau Claire on the same path.

Just before Christmas, the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, the Eau Claire County Department of Human Services, and the Eau Claire City-County Health Department announced they have “joined forces to lead a community-wide collaborative effort to address homelessness.”

The announcement continued: “Key leaders from local organizations, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and those with lived and living experiences have come together to align efforts, build trust, and create meaningful solutions to one of our community’s most urgent challenges.”

David Minor, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, said over the past year he’s increasingly heard from business owners and other community members about the growing impact of homelessness on Eau Claire. And there’s more than anecdotal evidence: According to a survey by Western Dairyland,  there were an estimated 104 unsheltered homeless people in Eau Claire in July, more than double the figure at the same time the previous year.

"Homelessness is not just a housing issue, it's a public health issue, a workforce issue, and a community-wide challenge. By working collaboratively, we can tackle this from all angles, ensuring a more comprehensive and compassionate approach." –Elizabeth Giese, director of the Eau Claire City-County Health Department

Likewise, Minor has heard concerns that there seems to be no clear plan to address the problem.

This changed in September after the documentary Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness was shown at the Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire. The documentary, created by Don Sawyer and Tim Hashko, addresses the so-called “Housing First” model pursued in Milwaukee County, which focuses on getting unhoused people into housing, then helping them with needs such as employment, mental health, and substance abuse treatment.

“For the vast majority of people who contacted me after this (screening), that was the lightbulb that went off,” Minor said. Taking motivation from the Chamber of Commerce’s work assembling task forces to address local COVID-19 response in 2020 and the closure of Sacred Heart Hospital last year, Minor decided that his organization could serve as a “convener” in this case, too.

Minor acknowledged that taking a role in addressing homelessness may be an unusual step for a chamber – at least traditionally. However, he added, it fits into the chamber’s goals of convening opportunity, championing projects, and catalyzing local opportunities. “We’re playing the long game for our community: How do we improve it every step of the way?” he said.

An initial leadership meeting for the collaboration was held Dec. 18, and was attended by Milwaukee County Housing Administrator James Mathy, whose work is featured in the documentary.

"This is not about money. It's about structure and coordination." –David Minor, CEO and president of the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce

“Homelessness is not just a housing issue, it’s a public health issue, a workforce issue, and a community-wide challenge,” Elizabeth Giese, director of the Eau Claire City-County Health Department, said in a media release. “By working collaboratively, we can tackle this from all angles, ensuring a more comprehensive and compassionate approach.”

Added Angela Weideman, director of the county human services department: “We’re bringing leaders to the table – business leaders, service providers, and, most importantly, those with firsthand experience of homelessness. By listening, learning, and committing to work together, we can create a brighter future for everyone in our community.”

While the collaboration is still in its infancy, Minor is optimistic that it can lead to a reallocation of resources and a reduction in the number of unhoused people in Eau Claire.

“This is not about money,” he emphasized. “It’s about structure and coordination.”

Though there is not an official website for the newly-formed coalition, you can learn more about the City of Eau Claire's current efforts to address homelessness at eauclairewi.gov • Learn more about the film Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessnessonline