Madison Mayor Paul Soglin’s proposal to give money to homeless persons wishing to leave the city in order to reconnect with relatives in other communities is now drawing criticism from several city officials.

Soglin said the $25,000 plan, which would be included in the 2013 budget, would give homeless people in the city of Madison who might feel stranded and alone an opportunity to relocate near family and friends.

Ald. Lisa Subeck, District 1, said while she and Soglin both agree
homelessness is a problem in the City of Madison, they disagree on the
solution to control the situation.

“The solution isn’t to remove people who are struggling,” Subeck
said. “Madison is a city for everyone; just because someone is homeless
doesn’t mean they should be sent away.”

Subeck, who has experience working with the homeless and low-income
families, said she is one of the three City Council members who offered
amendments to eliminate the funds for Soglin’s program proposal in
favor of a different type of solution.

She said funds in the 2013 budget could be allocated toward a
homeless day center or shelter. She added, in her experience, this
would make more sense than providing them with travel money.

Soglin said he is aware of the amendment to the program and wishes members of the City Council would give the program a chance. He
added if the program were to be implemented, citizens could expect to
see a reduction in crime or other problems associated with homelessness.

He said the premise of his proposal is supported by research that shows the homeless find somewhere to live more quickly when they are around family and friends, rather than in a homeless shelter.

“A person is more likely to succeed if they are in the support of loved ones,” Soglin said.

He added he is unsure of how the program would be operated, but an organization such as United Way of Dane County, who helps homeless people find housing, could be involved.

A program staff member could potentially make contacts to family members and friends the homeless would like to reconnect with, Soglin said.

According to Subeck, people who have support typically do not leave to go to other cities to start their own lives and are usually instead fleeing abusive situations.

She said many homeless people come to Madison for a better future and are willing to work to better their lives, but the city lacks the resources available for them to do so.

Sarah Listug, spokesperson for the United Way of Dane County, said homelessness in the City of Madison is an issue and the organization is determined to end family homelessness.

She said the organization adopted a program called Housing First, which works to place homeless people in Madison immediately into permanent housing and is more than twice as effective than a homeless shelter.

“We do know homeless people and families are more successful in an actual home versus a shelter system,” Listug said.

The City of Madison could expect the program, if approved, to be implemented sometime early next year, Soglin said.