April 2025 Minutes
Fox Cities Housing Coalition
April 16, 2025
8:00 am
Minutes
A. Call to Order
B. Introductions: Rachel Youngquist, Laurie McCulloch, Ivy Casarez, Amy Flanders, Connie Raether, Liz Croley, Deb Langacker, Lisa Strandberg, Kim Luke, Jennie Moore, Tracie LaRue Moen, Scott Schnurer, Terry Gottfried, Adam Hurst, Amy Lang, Anna Gerstner, Breanna Rosik, Kelly Kohel, Cheryl Spindler, Callie Timm, Elizabeth Reyes, Jackie Gonzalez, Jodell Gagnow, John Pylypyv, Katie Van Groll, Kendra Krisher, Kim Esselman, Kim Mehlberg, Leah DeShaney, Megan Zimmerman, Nhia Ly, Nicole Majewski, Nikki Gerhard, Olivia Galyon, Shaundra Wagner, Stacey West, Stephanie Van Hulst, Susan Garcia Franz, Laura Jackson, Melanie Haen, Megan Wanke, Breanna Mekuly, Cass Robinson, Molly McGregor
C. Approval of March 19, 2025 Minutes: corrections (says agenda instead of minutes). Vote: Winnebago County was not eligible to vote. Lisa moves, Deb seconds approval. Motion carries.
D. Treasurer’s Update--Deb Langacker: one deposit of $75. No new expenses but lost check replaced. Balance $11678.31
E. Coordinated Entry Update--Liz Croley: attached. Recruiting for Point in Time July 23rd.
F. After Hours Plan—Discussion: Amy Lang moves, Susan Garcia Franz seconds approval of the plan. Motion carries
G. Spotlight: Prevent or Reverse Criminalization of Homelessness Committee--Lisa Strandberg: This is one of the committees of our Coalition action plan. 4 required components: Engage and educate law enforcement, local officials and local business leaders. Also to implement a community plan. Last spring the City of Neenah voted to pass a camping ban and the Coalition engaged with the mayor and the police chief to give them other options to consider when encountering people experiencing homelessness. Winnebago County was also considering a camping and loitering ban and our Coalition members who lived in or served people living in Winnebago County were encouraged to contact their officials. The Winnebagoland and our coalition hosted a forum about homelessness attended by many local officials and a total of 45 community members. Both ordinances were shelved. Importance of collaboration across boundaries was highlighted by Lisa.
Community plan: Encourage local elected officials to participate in the Point in Time count. If you live in any local communities, please invite the elected officials to participate. Contact Lisa Strandberg if you are interested in contacting them (lstrandberg@pillarsinc.org)
Last year, a bill was considered at the state level, AB 689, that would prohibit camping in places not designated by the state government and withhold funds unless certain performance measures were met. Be aware that this bill could be reintroduced.
Concerns about people being without housing temporarily due to the draft. Hotel rates may be raised displacing them. If any organization can expand their capabilities for street outreach, contact Jennie Moore at Pillars (jmoore@pillarsinc.org). Jennie will also check with the local churches to see if there is any move to allow people to stay overnight during the draft. Liz reported that some hotels are warning people already (Econo lodge) that they will be asked to leave. The rates are looking to be about 200-300$ a night
Do what you can to educate your friends/family to avoid the use of 911 if they see someone experiencing homelessness. Can call police non-emergency number to do a welfare check if you are concerned about their safety.
H. Meeting Changes / Survey Results--Rachel Youngquist: Majority want meetings to stay as they are (zoom normally with 4 in person meetings.) Majority also want meetings to start at 8:30 so we will plan on that starting in May. Request made to have people turn their cameras on during the meetings to help us stay connected.
I. Action Plan Committee Updates if applicable
a. Affordable Housing--Susan Garcia Franz: Working on a strategic plan. Still promoting the powerpoint and energizing our housing champions. Some members of the committee are attending the Badger State Housing Alliance advocacy day on April 23. If you’d like to attend, contact Susan at sgarciafranz@winnebagocountywi.gov.
Rep. Murphy and Senator Alfheim are on housing committees at the state level.
b. DEI--Tracie La Rue Moen: Discussed what the current political climate is and how it might affect local agencies. Discussed different ways to talk/write about DEI due to fear of funding cuts. Working on a potential micro-aggression speaker.
c. Increase Non-Employment Cash income--Jennie Moore: Reviewed reports.
d. Report to the Community Ad-hoc Committee: 22 responses to survey. Early part of October, Thursday late afternoon or early evening. Length of time 1 ½ hours. Considering zoom, in person or hybrid. Event should be free or at a minimal cost. Panel discussion, networking, sharing stories, possibly a speaker.
J. CE Lead – Liz Croley—Vote: Scott moves, Laurie seconds approval. Motion carries. One abstention.
K. EHH Lead – Olivia Galyon—Vote: Amy Lang moves, Scott seconds approval. Motion carries with one abstention. EHH is a state-administered grant with federal and state funding support. It funds supportive housing and shelter programs. The EHH Lead will administer the grant and process payment requests, monitor subrecipient performance, apply for the grant, and complete required reporting.
L. Other Business: Child and Youth Homelessness profile posted here: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/schoolhouseconnection/viz/ChildandYouthHomelessnessDataProfiles/National
Appleton Housing Authority- if you are working with or know of any youth who may qualify for a FYI-Foster Youth to Independence Rental Assistance Voucher please reach out to me kime@appletonhousing.org AHA has open Foster Youth Vouchers. These vouchers are for youth ages 18-24 who have been in the foster care system at some point in their life and are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Please reach out or spread the word!
Adjourn
Passcode: #ei9!dM?
Next Meeting – May 21st - Zoom. 8:30 a.m.