County committee OKs plan for restrooms for homeless

Proposal goes to full board

MADISON, Wis. — The Dane County Personnel and Finance Committee approved a proposal to add four portable restrooms and lockers for the homeless.

The restrooms would also give homeless people a place to shower and keep personal items.

The county would place the portable restrooms at the Dane County parking ramp on South Henry Street, the Alliant Energy Center, Tenney Lock and the Dane County Human Services building.

The issue will now go to the full board on Sept. 20.

“If you’re an employer, are you going to hire someone who has a suitcase with all their personal belongings to a job interview? For someone who is not clean, who hasn’t been able to have a shower?” said Heidi Wegleitner, Dane County supervisor.

After the meeting, the Homeless Issues Committee met to brainstorm plans for a day center in Dane County to help homeless people who are currently outside the shelter system.