Kenosha---Unless something changes, Mayor Antaramian says he’s not in favor of extending the license of a no-barriers shelter that specializes in serving homeless people with various addiction and mental health issues.
First Step on 63rd Street continues to draw criticism from neighbors who are upset with loitering and people sleeping outside. "We've had a huge number of complaints," Antaramian tells WGTD.
An ad-hoc committee that he formed a few months ago has been unable to come up with a satisfactory solution. The group is expected to meet one last time next week.
First Step’s operating license expires at the end of next month.
The facility’s director says she’s willing to alter the agency’s operating hours, but it’s unclear whether that’ll be enough to tilt the pending city council vote in her favor. Tracy Sanchez said she'd be willing to close during the day while staying open at night. She'd like to see area churches provide cold-weather, day-time warming.
Antaramian says it’s the county’s turn to step in to try to deal with the problem. Counties in Wisconsin are generally given the responsibility of dealing with health and human service issues.
On any given winter night, First Step has between 25 and 35 guests. Because the place is licensed as a "refuge" center, the guests are not allowed to sleep lying down, although they've gotten away with dosing off while sitting in chairs.
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