Top priority remains in search of a solution

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds has called addressing the homelessness problem his top priority. But it is clear there is a long way to go. The 140 or so unsheltered people living in Houska Park will have to be out by the end of next month. But the city doesn’t have a plan for what to do with them next. That is troubling. Winter will be here soon, and so far the city doesn’t have a plan. City Hall has tried buying a downtown building and a southside motel to house the homeless.  Both plans fell through. The city has created a brand new position, homelessness coordinator, but he told city council members this week that although they have been meeting, they still don’t know what they will do to address the city’s homelessness problem come winter. And that is just months away, leaving precious time for any public input. It appears La Crosse is no closer to solving the problem, or at least having a plan to deal with it. La Crosse is certainly not alone in trying to find solutions for addressing homelessness. What are other Wisconsin cities doing? Madison has built tiny homes complete with heat and electricity and other amenities, and now plans to build a new building to house the homeless. Can’t they tell us what’s working and what isn’t? To be fair, there may be no easy answers, but so far it appears doesn’t have any answers.