The Stoughton Area Housing Advocacy Team of Stoughton (HATS) is a group of community residents working to address the affordable housing needs of all families within the Stoughton Area School District.
HATS works with public and private entities to provide affordable housing to economically disadvantaged children in Stoughton. Mark Petersen has been an active advocate for the underprivileged for decades; he serves as Treasurer and Board Member on the HATS Board of Directors. Peterson started in community advocacy as pastor of Covenant Lutheran Church. “As a pastor there were so many knocks on our doors requesting help for a place to stay. I would try to help a family stay at a local hotel for a week,” Petersen said.
Seeing a need for affordable housing and solutions to local homelessness, Petersen saw an opportunity to make a difference. “There must be a better way!” Petersen recalled thinking. “Back at that time, I wished for a place and space to help homeless families. Compassion for young children living out of a car or at campgrounds during bitterly cold times … this tugged at my heart.”
Nearly two decades later, Petersen is seeing HATS’s work in action. “We offer a program called STEP FORWARD and our motto is “Everybody deserves a place to hang their hat!” This is a gift to a homeless family or senior citizen who is homeless,” Petersen said.
STEP FORWARD offers safe, secure, and affordable housing for up to 24 months to families in need. Case management services are also available through partnerships with other community groups, such as the Stoughton Area Senior Center. “HATS has established a Step Forward Program which helps individuals who can’t attain a rental contract, due to other evictions, bad rental history, incarcerations or lack of monetary stability. Step Forward is a two year program someone applies for and agrees to have case management involved in goal setting and monthly meetings to talk about rental success. Our organization guarantees their rent for those two years.” Said Cindy McGlynn, the President of HATS.
Although homelessness is not as visible in communities like Stoughton as it may be in larger urban areas such as Madiosn and Milwaukee, the lack of affordable housing creates housing uncertainty for many families in the area. “It is significant to note that as the 2023-24 school year begins, there are 26 homeless families in the Stoughton school district that include 50 children, with five of those considered unaccompanied. “Unaccompanied” means they have no adult looking after them,” as stated on the HATS website.
According to the Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County, nearly 90% of the 624 people experiencing homelessness in Dane County identify as having used emergency shelters or transitional housing programs. HATS is one of these programs that keeps residents in need of housing solutions as they work to obtain permanent housing.
Affordable housing for all is a priority for HATS. By supporting low income and affordable housing projects the organization hopes to prevent the need for emergency solutions for assistance. “All housing is becoming too expensive. For all ages, with limited income and prices of rental units and housing in general is growing faster than income can keep up with. Our city and many others in Dane County are in serious need of more affordable and subsidized housing options.” McGlynn said.
HATS also invests in community education relating to housing affordability, community development, and the needs of those experiencing homelessness. Petersen encourages all to be part of the HATS mission and support their neighbors. “Be grateful for the home you have, and remember everyone deserves a place to hang their hat. Respond to the needs of your neighbors with open hearts. Join us in offering space to any homeless child in our community through compassion and love.”
HATS supports SASD families and builds a community of trust, support, and understanding for others. McGlynn hopes members of the community support HATS mission to eliminate housing insecurity in Stoughton. “be aware of your school community and to try to be kind and understanding to those who may be struggling.” McGlynn said.
Those experiencing housing insecurity can visit hatsofstoughton.org for solutions.
