Overnight warming shelters in the Janesville area won’t be open this winter due to concerns over spreading COVID-19.
Local non-profits are stepping up to try and fill the void, and the Janesville Community Development Authority approved more CARES Act funding to support the effort.
ECHO received $75,000 to expand its motel voucher program to temporarily house homeless individuals and families who might be on waiting lists to get into area shelters.
Executive Director Jessica Locher said this funding will double their usual voucher budget as the need increases because of area shelters decreasing capacity for COVID-19 safety.
House of Mercy also received a total of $27,000 from the CDA to purchase motel vouchers for those who are at high risk for coronavirus in its shelter or those who need to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure.
Janesville Housing Services Director Kelly Bedessem said the funding comes from the third and final round of Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus funding distributed by the federal government.
