Leaders from the City of La Crosse, La Crosse County, local health care organizations, and the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce gathered Wednesday, May 20, to launch Homes for 100, a new campaign aimed at raising funds to house 100 people who are homeless in La Crosse County.

“Today, we are asking the public to send a clear message: we will not accept anyone being without shelter in our community,” said Tina Tryggestad, La Crosse County Board Chair. “Please show you care by joining us in supporting this campaign.”

Reducing homelessness not only supports the individuals impacted but can also lower costs across health care, criminal justice, and city and county systems.

Donations to Homes for 100 will support the Pathways Held Lease and Rent Support Fund at La Crosse Area Community Foundation (donate now here). Funds will be used to house people through the Pathways Held Lease Program, which pairs rental assistance with services that help tenants maintain stable housing.

“This is an innovative, evidence-based investment in our local economy,” said Sam Scinta, CEO of the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a plan that aligns well with the business community’s interest in practical, results‑driven solutions that strengthen the local workforce and support community growth.”

Providing both housing and supportive services is the only proven approach to ending homelessness, added La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey. The City-County homelessness response plan, Pathways Home, has already helped more than 300 people secure stable housing since 2024. However, a gap in available housing remains that Homes for 100 is thoughtfully and strategically designed to close.

“Please join us in supporting Homes for 100,” Mayor Washington-Spivey said. “Let’s help our neighbors and show that homelessness is not inevitable. Your contributions will make a significant difference.”

Local data shows that eight out of ten people on the area’s homelessness list last lived in La Crosse County. Poverty is the largest driver of homelessness locally. In a recent survey, 68% of homeless households in La Crosse County cited low income as the primary cause of their homelessness. 

Donations to the Homes for 100 campaign can be made on the La Crosse Area Community Foundation website by clicking here or by sending a check to La Crosse Area Community Foundation marked “Homes for 100: Pathways Home Fund.”