February 9, 2026
January's edition of Eggs & Issues focused on homelessness in Eau Claire where a panel of professionals provided attendees with an update on collaborations and actions taken by local businesses to address the complex public health issue.
Brett Geboy, Community Relations Director for Hope Gospel Mission, shared updates of the Community Haven House, a day resource center for individuals dealing with homelessness and addiction recovery by working with individuals one-on-one and providing them with necessities like laundry, restrooms, showers, and more. In April, Hope Gospel Mission assumed operations over the day resource center and is in collaboration with over twenty different agencies focused on stable housing, counseling, addiction recovery, and employment.
Thanks to significant assistance from Western Dairyland, Hope Gospel Mission successfully acquired a building for the permanent Community Haven House location during its ongoing $6.4 million capital campaign, which has reached 70% of its goal. About a week after opening, the day resource center saw around one-hundred guests in one day. "Since opening, we have given out many vouchers to Hope Bargain Center and gotten people into addiction and recovery plans", said Geboy.
Angela Weideman, Eau Claire County Director of Human Services, and Assistant Director Angela Stokes, further discussed the importance of collaboration, providing general information on housing and homelessness in Eau Claire. The speakers touched on relevant data in the community; one-third of Eau Claire residents cannot afford their basic needs, 9% are considered in poverty by the federal poverty guidelines, and 25% are considered in the ALICE population, people working full-time but not able to meet their basic needs. Additionally, it costs $40 per night to stay in an overnight shelter and $112 for one night in the Eau Claire County Jail. In Eau Claire's community health survey, it was identified that alcohol misuse, poor mental health, a lack of access to childcare and affordable housing, substance misuse, and a lack of safe or affordable housing were the top five urgent issues in need of addressing in the community.
Through communities like La Crosse County, Brown County, and Milwaukee County who have seen success with leading collaborative efforts in their communities, Weideman says they have learned that there is a need for clear leadership and accountability, accessibility and affordability, affordable housing with services, and a public facing document highlighting shared goals and strategies to lead the work. The Housing Our Neighbor Collaborative is an initiative started in September of 2024 where entities like Eau Claire City-County Health Department, Eau Claire County Human Services, and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce committed to bringing Eau Claire together to address homelessness. Small groups of community leaders were brought together to discuss successes in Milwaukee and what was done to create that success. Information was collected from service providers, local leadership, and community members to inform community strategies which was summarized into 6 strategies approved by the planning collaborative. Align the system, share data strategically, strengthen outreach, prevent homelessness, ensure affordable housing, and community engagement. "In order for us to solve a social problem in Eau Claire, it is going to take everybody". Read the full plan here.
Paul Savides, co-chair of the JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force, shared his takeaways from community collaboration; "We are capable of working together as a community and we need direct involvement of people with lived or living experience of homelessness". He explains that the Community Haven House is a great example of collaboration in Eau Claire .
Mara Langrick, an individual with lived experience who has contributed to community meetings and the production of the housing report, shares that the 6 strategies emphasize homelessness as a system's issue, not an individual issue. "It's not about adding programs, it's about aligning with ones that are already out there and continue with them".
Julian Emerson, Altoona Grants and Housing Program Manager, discusses his experience with homelessness and housing initiatives in Eau Claire. "Twelve years ago, the city was not doing stuff directly related to homelessness, providing funding for it..now Eau Claire County has stepped up in a big way". Emerson sees a focus on improving, and a willingness among providers to work together.
More Information
PowerPoint visuals
One-page summary of recommendations
Full report
EC County DHS - Housing Collaborative website
One Better Way: Day Resource Center/Community Haven House