IMPACT programs support access to shelter and housing resources

IMPACT's sister programs work in partnership for people seeking housing resources

In 2015, Milwaukee transitioned to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Coordinated Entry system. The Milwaukee Coalition on Housing & Homelessness is responsible for planning, organizing and evaluating the range of services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness who are categorized based on their housing situation as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Two of IMPACT's programs help ensure that unhoused individuals, and those at risk of losing their housing, can access the services available in our community.

Coordinated Entry (CE) is the starting point for people in need of emergency shelter and housing resources in Milwaukee County. We utilize a standardized process that ensures equitable access to available programs serving single adults, families, and individuals fleeing domestic violence, community violence, or trafficking.

Due to limited housing and shelter availability, CE uses a prioritization system to ensure the most vulnerable individuals receive assistance first.

The CE team's role is to help individuals navigate the system that provides case management, financial assistance, eviction prevention, shelter placement, housing and other supportive services to eligible clients.

IMPACT 211 is the first step for anyone seeking housing resources in Southeastern Wisconsin and serves as a primary access point to Coordinated Entry (CE) in Milwaukee County. When someone contacts IMPACT 211, the Community Resource Specialist asks questions to determine if they're eligible for CE services according to the requirements defined by HUD.

Eligible individuals and families are referred to the CE team for next steps. Those who do not meet the eligibility requirements are referred to other community programs in our IMPACT 211 resource database to help stabilize their situation.

Call 211 or 1-866-211-3380

Text your ZIP Code to 898-211

Visit our website for an online chat

Our community is fortunate to have a network of providers and stakeholders who are committed to CE. Working together and coordinating across agencies has fostered critical system change. Click here for more information about IMPACT's role in Coordinated Entry.

Fostering a healthier community together

For more than a century, ProHealth Care has been the health care leader in Waukesha County and surrounding areas. ProHealth Care joined IMPACT Connect in 2023 as a means to identify and address the social needs of their patients and improve overall health and well-being. Using the IMPACT Connect platform, they are implementing social determinants of health (SDOH) screenings within their hospital inpatient setting, with plans to expand the initiative to hospital outpatient care in 2026. We invited Sarah Butz, Community Benefit Director, to share the health system's initial impressions and experience.

Why did you decide to join IMPACT Connect?

At a high level, we were focused on strengthening our leadership in the community we serve by enhancing how we connect patients with community and government resources. We also recognized the importance of SDOH screenings to better address factors that impact overall well-being. When we learned about the comprehensive network and robust resources that IMPACT Connect provides—and how they were already partnering with organizations across Southeastern Wisconsin—we saw a tremendous opportunity to collaborate and amplify our impact.

What client outcomes are you hoping to achieve?

Research shows that non-medical factors—such as access to food, housing, and transportation—play a significant role in health outcomes. By helping patients navigate and access essential resources, we hope to remove barriers to care and support better long-term health.

Have you experienced any early successes?

One of the biggest early wins has been our ability to track screenings and referrals—this is the first time we have real data to measure our impact. Additionally, the collaboration with community-based organizations (CBOs) through IMPACT Connect has been incredibly valuable. The ability to engage with other organizations working toward the same goals has strengthened our efforts and provided new opportunities to address social determinants of health.

IMPACT Connect is one of the most comprehensive community-wide systems to connect health and social care and track outcomes in the nation. Our network continues to expand to represent broad and diverse sectors of need throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Learn more at our next information session on Wednesday, May 21st at 11am.

Since 1960, IMPACT has helped people take the first step toward changing their life, for good. We assess and guide those experiencing personal crisis toward resources to achieve stability; and collaborate with community partners to foster system improvement throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

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