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Pathways Home in La Crosse hits 100 families re-housed mark

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – For over a year, the Pathways Home plan has been working to build the system of their 5-year plan. Earlier this week, they announced that 100 families have gone from homeless to housed since the plan's launch. Project leader Jim Drees says there is a broad spectrum of housing the people have been able to enter, 'Some of them are going to city public housing, others are going to private landlords. Some of those are market-rate. Some of those are voucher assisted.' Drees says the work that's been done to reach this milestone wouldn't have been possible without the help of community organizations, 'We've got those who are actively doing shelter. The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities Warming Center have a huge role in this system. They, in some cases, are very involved in terms of what housing placement may be.' Michael Quam of the Salvation Army says many helped through the plan were previously sheltered at their location, adding that collaboration is key, 'Pathways Home is a great program for folks and for the organizations to come together as work towards functional zero homelessness. We think about, then, how are we working into the future to make sure that this sort of success is sustained?' Becky Koske of Couleecap agrees that collaboration is what has helped Pathways Home get to where it is. She says as the milestone is being celebrated, everyone agrees there is still more work to be done, 'We have to ask how can we also come up with ideas to address those who are still experiencing homelessness. Where are the gaps in our services? Where can we better pool resources? Where can we better come together in a way that really helps people to successfully get into housing?' As of the end of 2024, the Pathways Home total homeless population was listed at 275. Goals for the plan in 2025 include creating more specialized housing and a surge shelter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.