Mayor Paul Soglin criticized Dane County officials Friday for excluding the city from conversations regarding a new winter homeless shelter on Madison’s east side.
On Sept. 19, the county introduced a plan to provide for a winter homeless shelter on Wright Street.
Soglin said his staff received the county press release late in the day on Sept. 19, which was the first notification the mayor’s office had received regarding a specific site for the shelter.
In a sharply worded letter to Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, Soglin said the county’s lack of communication is “unacceptable,” and the city has “grave concerns” for the proposed site.
“It appears that the City of Madison is the chosen municipality for locating a day shelter, yet our professional staff were not consulted and asked to assist in vetting potential sites,” Soglin said in the letter.
In determining a location for the proposed shelter, Soglin said the county did not contact his office, city departments or the city officials for the area.
Soglin also said in his letter the city does not have the funds or the responsibility to take care of Dane County’s and Wisconsin’s homeless.
“Even if we do not have to cover operating costs for a day shelter, the city will have to deal with the impact on neighborhoods and the costs associated with the impact,” Soglin said.
The Dane County Board voted Sept. 20 to approve the homeless shelter, which will be open from November through April. Board members added to allow the county to pick a site other than Wright Street if necessary.
“City Staff are analyzing [Wright Street] based on the limited information that has been provided, and it is not a given that we will be able to support its selection,” Soglin said.
