Madison, Wisconsin, opens first purpose-built men’s shelter with focus on permanent housing

Dane County has opened its first purpose-built men’s shelter on Bartillon Drive, offering more stable housing options for unhoused men while they work toward permanent housing. The shelter, which opened on Sept. 1, is city-owned but operated by Porchlight Inc., a Madison-based nonprofit founded in 2003 that focuses on homelessness services.

The new shelter is designed to provide long-term housing support, with no maximum length of stay for guests. This contrasts with temporary shelters that often require guests to leave after a short stay or operate only during limited hours. The facility includes rooms with multiple bunk beds, a shared dining area, lockers, and outlets near each bed, offering a more structured and dignified environment.

City officials noted that the pandemic highlighted the inadequacies of using church basements and other temporary spaces as emergency shelters. These spaces, which were previously relied upon, were found to be insufficient and unsafe, prompting the city to invest in a permanent solution. The new shelter is part of a broader effort to address housing insecurity and improve conditions for those experiencing homelessness.

Jim O’Keefe, the Madison Community Development Director, explained that the city’s realization of the limitations of temporary shelters came several years ago. The pandemic served as a catalyst for action, leading to the development of a facility designed with safety, privacy, and housing connections in mind.

Before the new shelter opened, unhoused men in Dane County relied on church basements in downtown Madison. These spaces were typically large rooms with mattresses on the floor serving as beds, along with tables and chairs. District 12 Alder Julia Matthews described the conditions as lacking dignity, with many individuals having only mattresses to sleep on.

The Porchlight shelter provides guests with two meals per day, personal hygiene supplies, access to showers and bathrooms, and case management services. These amenities aim to support individuals as they work toward stable housing.

Scott Moran, a 47-year-old currently unhoused and staying between State Street and the Dane County airport, has not yet joined the shelter. He is waiting to hear about other men’s experiences at Porchlight, expressing concern about past shelters failing to meet his needs. Moran emphasized the difficulty of feeling like a person when basic survival needs are not met.

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