Waukesha Homeless Shelter Project Makes Finals In Grant Contest

WAUKESHA, WI—The Housing Action Coalition of Waukesha County was one of nine shelter projects that made the finalist list for a Lowe’s 100 Hometowns project grant.

The coalition's shelter project ultimately did not win one of the grants but received a $2,000 Lowe's gift card to help furnish the shelter.

The coalition's project was one of the grant competition's final 500 finalists out of 2,200 applications submitted to the Lowe’s 100 Hometown project.

“While HAC was not selected as one of the 100 Hometowns Impact Projects, we are incredibly grateful to have shared our story, our mission, and future plans for the Waukesha Overflow Shelter here in Waukesha,” the coalition said in a statement.

Back in spring, the coalition applied to Lowe’s 100 Hometowns grant to support its fire station construction project. The coalition announced plans to renovate a vacated fire station at 1210 Sentry Drive into an emergency homeless overflow shelter for the winter months. The building will also provide office and conference space for coalition staff year-round.

The facility will have 22 beds in shared male, female and flex rooms. It will also have three suites for families, as well as kitchen and lounge areas, staff offices and a conference room, according to city documents.

The property currently has 15 parking spaces. Since the secondary driveway on the front side of the building will no longer need to be used as a firetruck entrance, it will be possible to add three additional spots there, for a total of 18.