County Board will review buying Chamber HQ for homelessness project

The full La Crosse County Board will get a chance Monday night to weigh in on the idea of using the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce building as a center for local programs to help the homeless.

The concept was proposed to city and county leaders at a meeting last week.

Associate county administrator Jane Klekamp says the Chamber building would be used for offices, not for actual housing.

“If we allow people a safe and secure and decent place to live, they will get better emotionally, physically, mentally, will ask for help, and then will be able to move on to an apartment that is their apartment,” Klekamp said.

Under the plan, temporary housing units for up to 70 people could be built in the current Chamber parking lot off La Crosse Street.

The city council also will review the concept in the coming months.

The cost of the proposal is estimated at just over $2 million.