Immediate danger and emergency dispatch - Madison and Dane County; use for fire, medical emergency, violence, or immediate threat
911 Emergency Services
Call 911 when there is immediate danger, fire, a medical emergency, violence, or a threat that cannot wait for a scheduled service. Emergency dispatch is not a hoarding-support program, counseling service, or cleanup provider.
Behavioral-health crisis - Dane County and Wisconsin; 24/7 support with different response limits
Dane County Crisis Line and Wisconsin 988
Wisconsin DHS lists Dane County's 24-hour crisis line at 608-280-2600 and directs people to call or text 988 when they cannot connect with a county crisis line. Use these routes for behavioral-health crisis support; call 911 for immediate danger, fire, or a medical emergency.
Protection and safety reporting - Dane County; abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect criteria apply
Dane County Adult Protective Services
Dane County Adult Protective Services responds to concerns involving abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of older adults and adults at risk. The county emphasizes both safety and self-determination: competent adults may accept or refuse services unless legal standards for intervention apply. Call 911 for immediate danger.
Shelter and housing-crisis navigation - Dane County; placement, capacity, and eligibility apply
Dane County Homeless and Housing Resources
Dane County Human Services maintains current information for people facing homelessness or needing emergency shelter, including The Beacon, street outreach, the Homeless Services Consortium, and local access points. Confirm the current access point, hours, transportation, and capacity before traveling.
Day resource center, basic needs, housing navigation, and support connection - Madison; registration, hours, and capacity rules apply
The Beacon Day Resource Center
The Beacon is a Dane County and City of Madison day resource center for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The county lists the center at 615 East Washington Avenue and current hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. It is a navigation and basic-needs pathway, not guaranteed permanent housing or emergency dispatch.
Overnight shelter and housing-support pathway - Madison; overnight hours, bed capacity, access, and program rules apply
Bartillon Shelter
The City of Madison and Dane County's purpose-built shelter at 1904 Bartillon Drive opened September 1, 2026, replacing the temporary Zeier Road shelter. The current opening notice describes overnight service from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. with 250 beds; confirm current check-in, transportation, accessibility, and availability before traveling.
Housing stability and community-development navigation - Dane County; program and funding criteria apply
Dane County Housing Access and Affordability Division
Dane County's Housing Access and Affordability Division is the county contact for housing programs, Community Development Block Grant work, and related affordability efforts. This is a navigation and program-information route, not a guaranteed emergency rent or cleanup benefit.
Rental assistance and housing vouchers - City of Madison; waitlist, lottery, and eligibility rules apply
City of Madison Section 8 Housing
Madison's Community Development Authority explains its Section 8 voucher program and notes that applicants must apply through the lottery when the waitlist is open. Residents outside the city are directed to the Dane County Housing Authority. This is not emergency shelter or an immediate placement guarantee.
Public and affordable housing administration - Dane County; applications, waitlists, and eligibility apply
Dane County Housing Authority
The Dane County Housing Authority administers housing programs for eligible applicants. Its own contact page states that it does not offer emergency housing, emergency rental assistance, landlord-tenant advice, or direct housing-search counseling. Confirm waitlist and program status before applying.
Housing-code and property-safety navigation - City of Madison; inspection and complaint rules apply
Madison Building Inspection and Property Maintenance
Madison Building Inspection enforces the city's minimum housing and property-maintenance code and accepts complaints about housing concerns, junk, trash, and debris. Only a current tenant can schedule an interior inspection. Code enforcement can create legal and housing consequences, so use it for a genuine property-safety concern and pair it with a respectful, consent-based support conversation when possible.
Tenant rights, eviction prevention, and housing counseling - Dane County; situation and funding criteria apply
Tenant Resource Center
The Tenant Resource Center provides free and confidential housing counseling, rental-rights information, eviction-prevention screening, and eviction-diversion services. Its 2025 funding update says pandemic emergency rental assistance ended, while limited rental assistance accompanies housing support in 2026. Confirm current services, documents, and deadlines before relying on a referral.
Heating, electric, weatherization, and energy-crisis assistance - Wisconsin; income and program-year rules apply
Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance and WHEAP
Wisconsin's Home Energy Assistance program may help eligible households with heating and electric bills, weatherization, and some heating or water-heater repairs. Benefits are limited and may not cover full annual energy costs; crisis help may apply when heat is off or a shutoff is imminent. Confirm current funds and local agency instructions.
Housing and energy-crisis payment for families - Wisconsin; child, income, asset, and crisis rules apply
Wisconsin Emergency Assistance
Wisconsin Emergency Assistance can provide a payment and connection to resources for eligible families facing a housing or energy crisis. The state says the program is for a parent or relative caring for a child under 18 and has income, asset, and timing rules. It is not a general adult cleanup fund.