This bothered me so much, I did a survey, with the help of Matt Kozlowski. Our survey results of 27 of the 40 – 60 people are below. Does it match what the mayor has been saying? Spoiler alert! NO!
These are the findings of interest. I should note, two of the women were suffering from mental illness episodes when I talked to them, so their answers are incomplete and scattered. Some people filled out the surveys but forgot to turn the paper over for the last three questions:
How long have they been sleeping at the City-County building?
4 = 30 days or less
3 = 1 – 3 months
2 = 3 months to a year
6 = 1 year
8 = more than a year
4 = weren’t sure or couldn’t answer
Do you feel safe here?
10 – yes
9 – no
Other answers: most times, 75-80% of the time, yes and no, I just move when there is fighting
4 = no answer
Where did you live/stay before coming to the City-County Building/Municipal Building?
7 = shelter
3 = other outside areas/streets
1 = hotel
4 = housed
6 = outside the city
4 = outside the state
2 = no answer or “don’t remember”
How long have you been in Madison?
2 months
14 months
1 year (2 people)
1.5 years
2 years
3 years
5 years (2 people)
6 years (2 people)
7 years
9 years
10 years
15 years
17 years
25 years
30 years (2 people)
39 years
40 years
47 years
56 years (born here)
“Years”
“too damn long”
“since the 70’s when I came here for school”
“grew up in Columbus, Wi”
Do you want housing?
27 yes
1 has a VASH (veterans) voucher and is looking for housing
Have you ever been offered housing you refused?
26 – no
1 – no answer
Do you have a regular case manager you work with?
16 = no
2 are meeting with one on Monday
2 = Tellurian
1 = Veterans Administration
1 = Journey Mental Health
Other answer: “some what”, CIT, Tyler (Porchlight), no sure who it is, 1 no answer
If offered housing, would you take it?
19 = yes
6 = didn’t turn the paper over, no answer
1 = no answer
1 – no (had traumatic experience with housing provider and was evicted, doesn’t want to go back there – person had obvious mental illness)
Do you have days left at shelter?
5 = yes
12 = no
6 = no answer (didn’t turn paper over)
2 = not sure
1 = banned
I might get out and interview some more folks this weekend, maybe . . . or maybe Koz will . . .
