Family Promise of Washington County (FPWC) operates an adult homeless shelter – Karl’s Place on E. Water Street, and a family shelter –The Promise Center, on Elm Street in West Bend. They are planning to expand their footprint and services on E. Water St. to operate entirely out of this facility to create more accessible and coordinated services for the homeless in Washington County. FPWC plans to sell their Elm St. location and operate all programming for families and individuals, including Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention programs at Karl’s Place, making it a true hub for all shelter and housing resources.

Washington County applied for a State of Wisconsin Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus Funding (CDBG-CV) on behalf of FPWC. Only a non-entitled unit of general local government can apply for the CDBG-CV Grant funding.

Lori Prescott, Executive Director of FPWC said, “Family Promise of Washington County has responded to our community’s need for over 11 years to shelter the homeless. We are dedicated to serving our community and the increased homeless persons that have gone underserved. We look forward to concentrating on our services for all families and individuals in our updated hub for homelessness here in Washington County.”

FPWC Board President David Ertmer said, “This expansion project is a wonderful opportunity for Family Promise of Washington County to efficiently and more effectively carry out its mission to serve the homeless by having all our resources in one location. A special thank you to all who have made this opportunity a reality.”

The planned expansion includes nine emergency shelter bedrooms with two community shelter areas and the expansion of transitional housing units consisting of two 2-bedroom and two 3-bedroom units to accommodate families.

In 2022, Washington County sold 30,000 square feet of land to Family Promise. This is in addition to the 1 acre donated to Family promise in 2017. Washington County will receive up to $2,000,000 to support the construction expansion and will be responsible for the overall assurance of the completion of the project and meeting the requirements of the CDBG -CV grant. Washington County will provide staff time for project oversight, bidding, finances, and grant administration support.

FPWC will pay for any costs of the construction beyond the amount awarded through the CDBG-CV grant and has a fundraising goal of $850,000. Washington County will contract with Kunkel Engineering to support the oversight of this project for $39,890, and FPWC will reimburse Washington County for these costs through dollars not associated with the CDBG – CV grant.

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