Help for those experiencing homelessness, at risk of becoming homeless

In 2015 Milwaukee transitioned to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Coordinated Entry (CE) system. CE is a standardized process that ensures equitable access to housing, shelter and homeless prevention services.

Our community is fortunate to have a network of homeless service providers and stakeholders who are committed to Coordinated Entry. We have official pathways from school districts, health systems, behavioral health care services, corrections, child welfare and other service providers. Working together and coordinating across agencies has fostered critical system change.

IMPACT is the Lead Agency responsible for its effective implementation. Our role includes:

IMPACT 211 – the central access point for people seeking services.

Intake Specialists – conduct assessments and provide referrals.

Prevention Navigators – problem-solve to preserve current housing.

Mobile Screeners – work with street outreach teams.in the field

Health System Liaison – serve as a bridge between systems.

Emergency Housing Facilitator – ensure that available shelter space is utilized.

Data Specialist – collect and evaluate data to inform system efficacy.

CE Manager – lead weekly case review among partners, advocate for those with greatest need, work to gain consensus for client placement, and refer into housing.

To contact IMPACT's Coordinated Entry team, call 211 or email CEteam@impactinc.org

Safe & Stable Homes Initiative

The United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County’s Safe & Stable Homes initiative has provided considerable support and leadership to the Coordinated Entry system.

Our collective goal of ending family homelessness means there are programs in place to prevent homelessness whenever possible. We also work to ensure episodes are brief and non-reoccurring. Also, once housed, families receive 12+ months of ongoing case management to preserve housing stability.

According to the most recent Point in Time* data from January 2023:

• Milwaukee is one of only 11 major cities that had zero unsheltered families.
• 29% of all families that entered Milwaukee shelters in 2023 were connected to permanent housing within seven days!
• Over a third (34.3%) of families in shelter were connected to housing in one month or less.
• On average, our homelessness system moved 2.6 families from shelter into housing each day in 2023!

As we await 2024 Point in Time data, it's important to note that HUD anticipates overall increases in homelessness due to the eviction moratorium ending, as well as the end of income supports such as expanded Child Tax Credits.

*What is Point in Time? HUD requires a physical count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The annual count provides a snapshot of people experiencing homelessness who are living in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Safe Havens in a community. 

On January 24th, IMPACT Director of Systems Change, Emily Kenney (far right) assisted with the 2024 count held at the Repairers of the Breach warming center. Also pictured from left: Jennifer Ward, Vivent; Shirley Wong, HUD; Dale Darrow, HUD; and Doris Piggot, Repairers of the Breach. Not Pictured: Maryvel Turman, HUD

Thank you for joining us!

On February 26th, IMPACT welcomed several Wisconsin State Representatives for an informative discussion about IMPACT 211's role providing critical connections to people in need, as well as how IMPACT Connect is transforming the way health and social services are delivered.

Pictured from left: Kimberly Payne, IMPACT Board Chair; Jasmine Window, IMPACT 211 Program Director; Rep. Deb Andraca, Assembly District 23 - Whitefish Bay; Angela Rothen, IMPACT Board; Rep. Robyn Vining, Assembly District 14 - Wauwatosa; William Coleman, IMPACT Board; Emily Kenney, IMPACT Director of Systems Change; Timothy Busalacchi, IMPACT Board; John Hyatt, IMPACT President & CEO; Rep. Darrin Madison, Assembly District 10 - Milwaukee; Rep. Christine Sinicki, Assembly District 20 - Milwaukee; Bob Waite, IMPACT Senior Account Manager