December 2026

As many of you are aware, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced earlier this month that the Funding Year 2025 Continuum of Care Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (CoC NOFO) has been rescinded. Our national nonprofit partners, as well as several states (including Wisconsin), have filed a lawsuit with HUD regarding the sweeping changes proposed to this new NOFO. On December 19, 2025, U.S. District Court of Rhode Island Judge McElroy ruled in favor of upholding HUD’s 2-year funding process approved in 2024’s NOFO. According to a court order filed December 23, 2025, HUD is to operate under the originally approved 2-year NOFO process while they further litigate.

The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Coalition on Housing & Homelessness understand that this unexpected development creates uncertainty for our partners and the broader CoC. It is our understanding that all parties involved in the lawsuit are working on a final ruling. We want to assure you that we are monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to adjust our local NOFO process as needed once more information becomes available.

We encourage all CoC partners to stay engaged and be ready to act once the new NOFO is issued. We will promptly share information on the updated process and timeline to ensure our community can respond effectively.

If you have any questions, please reach out to MCHH's Grant Officer Gregg Higgins at gregg.higgins@milwaukee.gov.

Winter Warming Locations

The holidays can be a challenging time, and no one should have to worry about finding a safe, warm place to stay. If you—or someone you know—need assistance, please see below for a list of Milwaukee Warming Locations, open daily from 7 PM to 7 AM.

Men only:

• Guest House of Milwaukee at 1216 N 13th Street
• Milwaukee Rescue Mission at 830 N 19th Street; call 414-935-0240 before visit

Women and Families:

• Joy House at 818 N 19th Street; call 414-344-3774 before visit

Single Adults:

• Repairers of the Breach at 1335 W Vliet Street
• St. Ben's Parish at 930 W State Street
• Unity Lutheran Church at 1025 E Oklahoma Avenue

Stay up to date with this year's Winter Warming Locations by visiting milwaukeecoc.com or calling 2-1-1.

IMPACT Announces Transition in Role

MCHH extends its sincere gratitude to IMPACT for its leadership of the Coordinated Entry program. We are thankful for the opportunity to work alongside IMPACT and its dedicated team. MCHH looks forward to continuing our strong partnership with IMPACT through the IMPACT 211 program.

IMPACT has been involved in our community’s coordinated response to housing instability and homelessness for decades. We’re proud to have been part of CE’s development, and grateful for our partners who learned alongside us and supported one another through a large-scale system improvement effort.

It was through no easy decision that we landed where we did. But stepping back allows the next phase of CE leadership to carry it into the future.

-John Hyatt, IMPACT President & CEO

The Longest Night: Remembering Those Lost to Homelessness

December 21 marked two meaningful observances: the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, and National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. This day serves as a powerful moment to reflect on the hundreds of thousands of Americans who experience homelessness and to honor the lives of those who died without a safe place to call home. Across the country, communities come together to remember neighbors lost before they were able to exit homelessness. It is a sobering reminder of the urgency of this issue, and of our shared responsibility to respond with care and action. Every life lost is a profound tragedy and a call for us to do more. Ending homelessness is possible. When stable housing is paired with health care and supportive services, people can find stability and move forward.

National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the reality that homelessness can be prevented and ultimately ended. Let this day be one of remembrance and reflection—and let 2026 be the year we turn awareness into action.

• Use your voice to advocate for more affordable housing, stronger local and federal investments, and the belief that ending homelessness is possible.
• Educate yourself about homelessness and support programs that focus on prevention and solutions.
• Support local and national organizations by donating or volunteering to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Below is a list of local organizations that are members of MCHH. These organizations are doing the important work of providing shelter, warmth, and care to our community.