More homeless people currently camping at Reindahl Park could be sheltered at the Madison Plaza Hotel, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report. The city is considering renting the balance of the 35 usable rooms from the financially troubled hotel, which would put a plan to convert the hotel to low-income housing on hold. Since September, Dane County has been renting 100 rooms at the hotel, at 3841 E. Washington Ave., for adults considered at high risk for severe illness if they contract COVID-19. As part of the agreement, the county has worked with Focus Counseling of Madison to provide a variety of services and 24/7 staffing on-site. The hotel owes approximately $1.35 million in back taxes and cannot be converted to low-income housing while being used as a temporary homeless shelter.
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