Milwaukee’s park-and-ride lots are closing in response to the surge in homeless encampments and police calls. Following the shutdown of the Holt Avenue lot, the College Avenue lots are the latest to close. Residents have until November 3 to vacate the College Avenue location, leaving many struggling to find alternative shelter, according to Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation. 

The closures are attributed to a 42% increase in police calls compared to 2023, as more homeless individuals set up camp at these sites. The increase in activity has raised safety concerns and led state officials to initiate the clear-outs. For those who have called these lots home, the sudden move adds to the difficulty of finding stable housing in a city already grappling with an affordable housing crisis.

Park-and-ride lots traditionally serve commuters, offering convenient parking near transit routes. However, in recent months, these sites have become refuge points for people like Ric, who has lived at the College Avenue lot with his dog, Sasha, for months. Ric, who works overnight shifts, finds himself unable to afford permanent housing despite having a job. He noted the financial burden of housing applications, which often end with rejections, further draining limited resources.

Outreach groups like Street Angels Milwaukee have been active in supporting the homeless population. Eva Welch, the group’s co-founder, emphasized the need for more shelter space and affordable housing, pointing out that current resources are inadequate. “Until those solutions are available, Street Angels will continue to ensure people have what they need to survive,” Welch said.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee County officials have deployed outreach teams to help people transition from these sites to stable housing. Despite these efforts, new individuals continue to arrive at the lots, reflecting a broader crisis of housing insecurity. As authorities clear out the encampments, residents express frustration over the lack of alternatives. “Shelters are full,” Ric stated, questioning the feasibility of the evictions. 

The southwest College Avenue lot will partially remain open to serve transit riders, but the northeast lot will be off-limits once vacated. As the deadline looms, residents and advocates are calling for urgent solutions, highlighting the gap between temporary measures and long-term housing needs.