The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is stepping up efforts to address the issue of illegal camping at the Holt Avenue park-and-ride lot in Milwaukee. Despite relocating about 65 individuals to stable housing, new campers continue to appear at the site. Recent measures include installing concrete barriers to block off the lot, aiming to discourage further occupation.

However, this approach has yet to prove effective, as the city has not implemented any punitive measures to deter the campers from returning. Earlier this year, WisDOT set a deadline of May 16 for vacating the park-and-ride lots, with vehicles that remained after this date being towed. Despite these efforts, the problem persists, with new individuals arriving as others are removed. District 8 County Supervisor Steven Shea commented, “The problem is once they move some people out, people come in.”

In addition to these measures, a recent altercation at the College Avenue park-and-ride lot highlighted ongoing issues, with no arrests made but indicating the presence of unauthorized occupants. Advocates point to lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that the housing crisis continues to affect many individuals. WisDOT remains focused on reducing vehicle abandonment and violations, while working to connect those in need with appropriate housing resources.