Fox Valley Shelters Expand Capacity to Help Homeless During Extreme Cold

Shelters hit full capacity and open emergency beds to keep up with rising demand as temperatures plummet in Northeast Wisconsin.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:31pm

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With bitter cold temperatures blanketing Northeast Wisconsin, shelters in the Fox Valley are taking extra steps to ensure they can help as many homeless individuals as possible. Day by Day Shelter in Oshkosh and Pillars in Appleton have both expanded their capacity by opening additional emergency beds to accommodate the increased demand during the severe weather. The shelters are also working with community partners like the Salvation Army and county to provide overflow and motel vouchers.

Why it matters

The biannual point-in-time count for the homeless population in the area is scheduled for this week, and the shelters expect the severe cold may impact the count, potentially leading to a lower number than in previous years as more people seek refuge from the dangerous temperatures.

The details

Day by Day Shelter in Oshkosh, which normally serves 50 people per night at full capacity, has opened 15 additional emergency beds that have been full since last Thursday. Pillars in Appleton, which normally accommodates 135 people minimally across two shelters, has expanded to take in an extra 15-20 people during the cold weather. The shelters are working with community partners like the Salvation Army and county to provide overflow and motel vouchers for women and children.

  • The biannual point-in-time count for the homeless population is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
  • The shelters have been operating the additional emergency beds since last Thursday, January 23, 2026.

The players

Molly Yatso-Butz

Executive Director of Day by Day Shelter in Oshkosh.

Lisa Strandberg

Executive Director of Pillars in Appleton.

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What they’re saying

“We do have a policy that for our community, homeless individuals in our community, we can open 15 additional beds.”

— Molly Yatso-Butz, Executive Director, Day by Day Shelter

“We operate two shelters every day, and those shelters accommodate 135 people minimally. We've been able to expand and accommodate an extra 15 to 20 through this cold weather.”

— Lisa Strandberg, Executive Director, Pillars

“We know that we've got some extra folks sheltered during these extreme temperatures, so we expect to actually see perhaps a lower count than in years past.”

— Lisa Strandberg, Executive Director, Pillars

What’s next

The biannual point-in-time count for the homeless population in the Fox Valley area is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, and the shelters expect the severe cold may impact the count, potentially leading to a lower number than in previous years.

The takeaway

As bitter cold temperatures continue to grip Northeast Wisconsin, local shelters are working tirelessly to expand their capacity and partner with community organizations to ensure they can provide refuge and support for as many homeless individuals as possible during this dangerous weather. Their efforts highlight the critical role these shelters play in protecting the most vulnerable members of the community.