Winnebago County includes HELP in 2026 Budget

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WISS) – Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz proposes funding the Homeless, Eviction, and Loss Prevention (HELP) program in the county with property taxes.

The grant that initially supported the program has expired. Hintz seeks to ensure program stability by funding it in the 2026 Executive Budget. The county will continue applying for additional grants to support it.

A press release from Hintz’s office said that since launching in 2022, HELP has worked with hundreds of households facing eviction or housing loss. Seventy-four percent of the 674 families helped since then have left the program with stable housing. That shows the program does prevent homelessness and reducing the need for emergency shelter placements.

“I’m proud to announce my 2026 Executive Budget includes local funding for HELP because of the value it provides to our community,” said Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz. “By keeping families in their homes, we reduce the strain on emergency systems, schools, and social services. More importantly, we give people the stability they need to stay employed, keep their kids in school, and move forward. The success of HELP shows what prevention can do when we invest early.”

HELP connects residents with case management, financial assistance, and partnerships that stabilize families before crises escalate. The program, a collaboration between Winnebago County Human Services and local nonprofits, fills a critical gap in the county’s housing continuum. 

“As a community partner, we have seen firsthand the impact of the HELP program on families in Winnebago County,” said LEAVEN Executive Director Nikki Gerhard. “HELP keeps people in their homes, preserves family stability, and prevents the deep personal and financial costs of homelessness.”

“The HELP program provides a vital tool for our Community Impact Team here in Oshkosh,” said Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith. “This tool is one of the few resources for our police officers and social workers who are partnered together to help people transition out of homelessness.”

The County Board of Supervisors considers the 2026 Executive Budget on Monday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. on the 4th floor of the Winnebago County Courthouse.