Waukesha — A nighttime shelter for homeless men can again operate at a downtown Waukesha church hall this winter, the city Plan Commission decided Wednesday.
A majority in the standing-room only crowd of about 100 literally stood in support of the 5-1 decision, rising to their feet as their spokesmen told the commission that Waukesha was showing compassion by its action.
"No one thinks this is a permanent solution, but we're in an emergency situation," said the Rev. David Simmons, rector of St. Matthias Episcopal Church, which will again house the shelter. "The jobless and homeless statistics are staggering."
St. Matthias, at N. Main St. and East Ave., requested the conditional use permit along with Hebron House of Hospitality, which operates three other longer-term shelters.
An overnight shelter opened at the church last winter because existing shelters were routinely crowded. A particularly long spell of frigid weather and the growing impact of the recession - unabated still - added to the need. Salvation Army in Waukesha is the only other drop-in shelter for men operated in suburban Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties.
Last year, the Plan Commission had indicated that the permit was for only one year. Commissioner Curt Otto, who lives above his art studio business in downtown Waukesha, voted against a new permit because, he said, the city and county had not addressed the homeless on a permanent basis.
Some in the business community and residents have been critical of the shelter, seeing it as counterproductive to the city's longstanding downtown redevelopment efforts.
In a tepid statement of approval this month, the Business Improvement District Board voted 5-4 to support the shelter but urged agencies to offer users safe and beneficial destinations during daytime hours when the shelter is closed.
Hebron House Executive Director Bernie Juno said they were working to do just that and hope to organize a day drop-in center from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County on N. East Ave. with both paid staff and volunteers.
In approving the shelter, commissioners asked Juno to work with downtown businesses, updating them on the operation and on solving problems that might arise with certain individuals.
The St. Matthias homeless shelter will operate from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Nov. 15 to April 30.
Last winter, from Jan. 15 to April 30, 131 men were served, two-thirds of them listing Waukesha as their last address. Many had drug and alcohol problems or mental health issues. Seventy-seven found some permanent housing solution, according to a final report.
A study group evaluated alternative locations for a shelter but found them all - eight churches, 49 other properties and the county's Northview building - either physically inadequate, too far from services or both.
The group concluded that until the economy and employment rates improve, St. Matthias is the best place for the shelter.
However, the Fire Department warned that if the church were used for a third year as a shelter, it would be considered permanent and have to meet stiffer state building code regulations, including fire sprinklers.