Temporary Warming Shelter at St. Paul Lutheran Church
Summary
The Manitowoc Warming Shelter will open its fifth season at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2601 S. 10th Street, as a temporary 12-bed emergency shelter with a 76-day cap per guest. Operators say about 20% of guests find housing each year and they're working with the city on a permanent site.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
The shelter operates without city funding or staffing.
Unhoused residents of Manitowoc during cold-weather emergencies.
On the coldest nights, guests beyond the 12-person cap may be turned away unless hotel vouchers or other city locations are available.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Common Council - Sep 21, 2026
The Manitowoc Warming Shelter will open its fifth season at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2601 S. 10th Street, as a temporary 12-bed emergency shelter with a 76-day cap per guest. Operators say about 20% of guests find housing each year and they're working with the city on a permanent site.
Plan Commission - Sep 15, 2026
The warming shelter needs an annual conditional use permit to operate each winter, this year at 2601 S 10th Street (St. Paul's Church). The big debate: whether to keep the 12-guest cap and the 76-night/lottery conditions or loosen them so no one gets turned away on the coldest nights. The commission kept the original terms but the city hopes a permanent fix comes with the new zoning code.
Plan Commission - Aug 25, 2026
The city's only warming shelter needed a new home after life-safety issues forced it out of its State Street location. The commission backed the church site — and loosened guest caps so more people can be sheltered this winter. Council makes the final call September 21.
Related development
Manitowoc Warming Shelter - Temporary Conditional Use Permit
Provides emergency overnight shelter for unhoused residents this winter at a new location; nearby residents will be affected by operations, and the city flagged notification process improvements.
Temporary Warming Shelter — 2601 S 10th Street
Gives the community's homeless population a safe indoor option this winter instead of cars, streets, and doorways — with fewer restrictions than previous years.
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