Contact: Rep. Jon Plumer 608-266-3404
Madison – At a news conference at the Porchlight Men’s Shelter at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison, Rep. Jon Plumer (R-Lodi), along with Assembly Republican colleagues announced their latest initiative to fight homelessness. Plumer released the following statement:
“First off, I want to thank the Interagency Council on Homelessness and Rep. Steineke’s office for their leadership on this extremely important issue. Homelessness is not just a problem in urban areas like Madison and Milwaukee – it is statewide. Thus, my colleagues and I have worked together to craft eight pieces of legislation to help homeless Wisconsinites get back on their feet and eventually end the plight of homelessness.
“The specific bill I authored adds $500,000 annually to the Homeless Prevention Program to help avoid evictions, and creates a new program funded at $300,000 to begin diversion. Diversion is short-term assistance to steer those who present as homeless into stable housing outside the traditional homelessness system.
“There are some people in our communities who are one missed paycheck away from being homeless. Or one short illness in the family away from not being able to pay the rent. Diversion helps ensure that a one-time interruption in income does not put a person or a family on the streets. I am thrilled to author this bill, which is a great first step this session to work toward ending homelessness and making sure people can stay in stable housing. Having stable housing is essential to a stable life.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides and with Governor Evers in the coming months on these eight bills. It is my hope that Governor Evers is willing to put politics aside, do the right thing, and sign these bills into law.”
