A multimillion-dollar men’s homeless shelter currently being built on Madison’s far east side is still on schedule to open in early 2026, but officials said it may not have sufficient funding to stay open 24 hours per day as intended, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The project cost of around $27 million exceeds a 2023 estimate by $6 million; however, the city and county have reportedly secured the necessary financing to move forward.
Jim O’Keefe, Madison’s community development director, said keeping the 42,125-square-foot shelter at 1904 Bartillon Drive running for 24 hours per day would cost roughly $4 million annually. Funding from the city, county and state currently allows for a budget of around $1.2 million to operate a temporary overnight shelter.
Additionally, months before the new shelter opens, the city-sanctioned campground of shelters at Dairy Drive on the southeast side is set to shut down on Sept. 30.
