While Madison residents are hunkering down in their AC amid extreme heat warnings our homeless neighbors are facing the brunt of this dangerous weather.
“It’s hot as hell, I feel like I am melting,” said Kabari Moore. “I have been on the street about ten summers, this is definitely the worst one”. This is a shared sentiment among homeless people through the downtown area.
“It feels like 105°F. If I stayed outside any longer I believe I would actually die,” said Shayla Brown, taking refuge from the weather in the library.
Finding shelter from the heat can be a challenge; some turn towards public libraries, homeless shelters, or shady spots outside, though each comes with its own pros and cons.
Libraries provide water, restrooms, and shelter from the elements for much of the homeless population during the day, though Brown notes drawbacks.
“I was in Hawthorne Library, in the lobby area but they kicked me out because they said I smell,” said Brown. “I don’t have extra clothes or anyplace to wash. Now I’m here, downtown, outside”
The heat exacerbates that lack of access to sanitation for many. Some libraries will provide extra clothes, but Brown said she wants to be able to wash and take care of her clothes. Additionally, she said she doesn’t feel secure in the public showers.
Madison’s network of homeless shelters are another resource that houseless people can utilize to cool down. These shelters are in high demand among the homeless population, leading to the recent creation of a new shelter specifically for those with disabilities and the elderly.
“I’d rather be out here. It’s not safe in there” said Diego Hernandez, referring to the shelters. He mentioned previously of his property getting stolen and less than sanitary conditions.
Madison’s Department of Planning, Community, and Economic Development notes a spike of homelessness in 2021 in post-Covid 19 quarantine conditions. Shelters are working to serve as many as their capacities allow.
“There’s a new shelter. You got to be 75 years old to get in there,” said Moore, “What about the rest of the people? They told me I’m not old enough. What is the age to not be outside?”
Additionally, Moore and Brown said that some stores along state street will allow them in to cool down, but most won’t let them enter, not even to take sanctuary from the extreme weather conditions.
The heat wave is affecting some more than others. Those with preexisting illness are hit especially hard. General wellness, infections, skin ailments such as eczema and rashes, and old wounds are worsened by the intense heat.
“I lost my foot to frostbite. It had to get amputated last year, ” said Brown. “Being in the heat makes my body hurt worse.”
The National Weather Service describes Extreme Heat Warnings as “extremely dangerous” conditions that can cause various illnesses such as heat stroke. If heat stroke is not promptly treated by medical professionals, it can cause organ failure and death.
“It’s too hot to stay awake,” Hernandez said. “Me and my friends try to keep a good attitude and look out for each other but the heat gets to you.”
Unhoused people stick to the shade; however the prolonged exposure to heat and dehydration can cause people to become lethargic and feel weak.
Brown, Moore, and Hernandez critique Madison’s programs which were created for homelessness prevention and to attend to homeless individuals. They say that the city is not meeting their needs.
“The people in these programs have never been on the streets,” said Hernandez. “They can’t understand us or give us what we need because they haven’t lived it. Homeless people have solutions but the city doesn’t see us.”
On significantly hot days people can help out by handing out frozen water bottles, gatorade, and popsicles to unhoused people.
To beat the heat, “cooling stations downtown would be amazing” said Hernandez.
Brown suggested creating a law not allowing businesses to deny entry or kick out homeless people during extreme weather events.
These solutions are bandaids on a more severe problem, says Moore.
“The city is paying for all these different things when they should be giving us apartments to keep us inside and out of the bad weather,” he said, “Yes, it’s hot now which is bad but it’s going to get pretty cold soon. You need to give people somewhere to be safe.”
If you are someone you know is facing homelessness, Dane County Department of Human Services can connect you with homelessness and housing resources or you can dial 2-1-1 for more information.
