Milwaukee County leaders say they can find housing for all of 'Tent City' before eviction

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has given those living in the homeless encampment known as “tent city” until October 31 to leave.

The Milwaukee County Housing Division says they can find housing for those people before that time.

WisDOT said encampments on their property are against the law, but until they needed the area for a construction project, they worked with the Milwaukee city and county governments to find methods besides eviction to clear the community.

WisDOT says “tent city” is right in the way of a clean water construction project they partnered on with Milwaukee.

“To help grab some of the water that runs off of the freeway system, and get it cleaned up before it gets into the river system here," WisDOT spokesperson Michael Pyritz said. "Just to our south here is the Menominee river, and just to our east is the Milwaukee River.”

WisDOT is working with Milwaukee County to find a better living environment for those at the camp.

One of the things that we hear from clients that we’ve worked with that are sleeping on the street is they’re really reluctant to go to homeless shelters, and they want permanent housing," Milwaukee County Housing Division Administrator James Mathy said.

Mathy says they are working to assess the best options for the population, give them housing vouchers and help with move in starter packages. 

They need donations to help the currently homeless move.

“From beds to dressers," Mathy said. "We’re looking for businesses or furniture companies that are willing to help out with that. Even financially for security deposits.”

United Way announced Monday, October 7 they will donate $75,000 to help the county provide permanent housing.