Winter shelter, anti-drug funds come before La Crosse council committee Thursday

City leaders in La Crosse are making plans to provide winter shelter for the homeless.

On Thursday night, the city’s Finance & Personnel (F&P) Committee takes up a resolution to spend up to $700,000 in federal money on temporary shelter, which could be used from now through March.

The money would come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which has set aside more than $20 million for the city of La Crosse.

The resolution says rental rooms have been identified for local use this winter. A year ago, a Rose Street motel was used for temporary housing the unsheltered during the winter, in addition to existing warming centers.

In other business before the committee, drug investigations in La Crosse could get some extra funding from the state.

The finance panel is being asked to accept a $43,000 Justice Department grant to crack down on drug trafficking.

The grant would allow La Crosse Police Department to get equipment, which would increase officer safety during drug investigations.

The state has set aside $1 million for grants of up to $50,000 that can be offered to communities.