Based on a report by WI Policy Forum located at:
https://wispolicyforum.org/research/mixed-trends-for-wisconsins-homeless-population/
Walk down Washington Street or drive through Marathon County on a crisp evening, and it is easy to assume that homelessness is primarily a big-city issue confined to Milwaukee or Madison. But housing instability does not stop at county lines. For families across Central Wisconsin, homelessness often manifests quietly: doubled-up households, people sleeping in vehicles, or temporary stays in local shelters.
A report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum brings the scope of this challenge into sharp focus. Across Wisconsin, the reported number of individuals experiencing homelessness rose 4.8% in 2026, reaching 5,495 people. This continued an upward trajectory that began in 2021. For Wausau and surrounding communities—which fall under HUD’s Balance of State Continuum of Care covering 69 Wisconsin counties—the numbers tell a complex story. The Balance of State region accounts for the largest overall count of unhoused individuals in Wisconsin at 3,445, yet it maintains the state’s lowest rate of homelessness at 7.7 per 10,000 residents.
Despite the recent uptick, Central Wisconsin and the state at large have historically proven that homelessness is a solvable crisis. Between 2015 and 2025, while national homelessness ballooned by 32.0%, Wisconsin’s unhoused population shrank by 13.4%. In our Balance of State region, the unhoused population fell by 8.5% over that same decade. Much of that progress stemmed from embracing the Housing First model, which stabilizes individuals with immediate, permanent housing before tackling underlying hurdles like employment or healthcare needs. Shared management systems and strong regional coordination ensured that help reached those who needed it across rural and small-city geographies.
Why, then, are local numbers rising again? The answer lies in economic realities hitting close to home. Housing costs across Central Wisconsin have surged, far outpacing local household incomes. At the same time, crucial pandemic-era safety nets—such as emergency rental assistance and federal eviction moratoriums—have expired. Without those cushions, a single medical bill, vehicle repair, or rent hike can push a working family off the edge.
To make matters worse, local service organizations now face immense unpredictability from Washington D.C. Proposed shifts in federal housing policy and fluctuating funding streams—some of which have been abruptly pulled, reinstated, and tied up in litigation—have created real friction for service providers. When local agencies cannot predict their funding, the vulnerable neighbors relying on emergency shelters or transitional housing pay the price.
Wausau cannot afford to wait for federal policy to settle. To protect our neighbors and preserve community stability, state and municipal leaders must double down on proven solutions. That means expanding local permanent supportive housing options while aggressively strengthening homelessness prevention efforts. Keeping a family housed through short-term assistance is far less costly—and far less disruptive—than helping them rebuild after losing their home.
Our region's track record proves that progress happens when community empathy aligns with strategic policy. As regional counts creep upward, Wausau has a clear choice: allow broader national trends to dictate our local reality, or lead the way in keeping Central Wisconsin stable, supportive, and accessible for everyone.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here