Family Shelters
Western Dairyland operates six homeless shelters in Eau Claire, Jackson, and Trempealeau counties for families with children. Our seventh shelter, located in Buffalo County, will reopen in 2025.
Our shelters are single-family units that may be occupied for up to 30 days. Each shelter is a completely furnished apartment with bedding, furniture, cooking utensils, and cleaning supplies donated by the community. Our shelters are in safe locations, and every effort is made to maintain the families' privacy. Family members are referred to other Western Dairyland resources and community organizations for additional help.
Our priority is to provide a safe place for homeless families with children to stay. During their stay, we do everything we can to locate permanent housing and help them on their way to self-sufficiency.
If you need assistance, call us at 715-836-7511 or 715-985-2391 or fill out a housing pre-screen form.
Family Homeless Shelters
Eau Claire: 715-836-7511
Independence: 715-985-2391
Email: housing@wdeoc.org
Fill Out a Housing Pre-Screen FormHomeless Shelter Donations
Your Donations Help Make a Difference
$500 provides one month of shelter for a homeless family
$125 provides one week of shelter for a homeless family
$18 provides one day of shelter for a homeless family
Any amount provides help for today and hope for tomorrow
Online donations of any amount may be made through our secure PayPal account. All donations will help pay rent, utilities, and building maintenance at our shelters in Eau Claire, Black River Falls, Blair, and Mondovi.
Donation Wishlist
In addition to monetary donations, we always welcome the following:
- Personal Care Items (soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste)
- Bedroom pillows and blankets
- Bath towels, hand towels, washcloths
- Cleaning supplies
- Linens (sheets, mattress pads)
- Televisions (small to medium-sized, flat screen only)
- Dishes, utensils, silverware, glasses, cereal bowls, etc.
- Kitchen appliances (toaster, coffee makers, can opener)
- Furniture (couch, loveseat, chairs)
- Gift Cards (Walmart, Kwik Trip, etc.)
- Lawn Mowing services
- Snow Removal services
We also welcome small groups and individuals willing to do yard work, painting, cleaning, and general maintenance as needed. Call our offices at 715-985-2391 for more information.
If space is not available in one of our homeless shelters, our case managers will provide you with a list of available options in your community.
Our homeless shelters are funded in part by:
United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley
More Homeless Services & Prevention Programs
Wisconsin Homeless Management Information System Consumer Notice
This Agency receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and/or the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Housing to provide services for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
This agency must participate in the Wisconsin Homeless Management Information System to receive this funding. This system collects basic information about clients receiving services from this agency to get a more accurate count of individuals and families who are homeless and to identify the need to provide different services.
We only collect and share the information that we consider to be appropriate. The collection and use of all personal information is guided by strict standards of confidentiality. A copy of our Privacy Notice describing our privacy practices is available to all consumers upon request.
Your information will be shared with other area agencies participating in HMIS unless you request that your information remain closed (confidential). Keeping your information closed means that your information will only be available to case workers and intake workers within this agency. If you want to close your records, please contact a case manager or intake worker.
Public Notice (Federal Register/Vol. 69, No. 146)