Common Council approves winter homeless shelter in empty car dealership

City officials unanimously passed an ordinance allowing an empty Don Miller auto dealership showroom on East Washington Avenue to be used as a "daytime resource center" for the homeless.

Through Porchlight, Inc., which operates a homeless shelter near campus, the empty showroom will serve as an alternate shelter for the homeless.

The homeless previously used the Central Library and Capitol basement for shelter in the winter, but with the library closing and restrictions on Capitol access, the homeless are forced to seek other options.

Dave Peters, Madison resident and advocate for Homes for All, said the people "in the city have a responsibility to deal with this problem."