Porchlight, Inc.

Porchlight, Inc. is a non-profit organization in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to reducing homelessness in Dane County through shelter, affordable housing, and supportive services. The organization serves individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, case management, and advocacy. With a history rooted in community response to a crisis in 1984, Porchlight has grown into the largest provider of low-cost housing and homeless services in the region. It operates across multiple programs and locations, serving the broader Madison area. The organization holds a 3.50 rating based on 59 reviews, reflecting consistent community engagement and service delivery.

Porchlight was founded in response to the deaths of people experiencing homelessness in Madison during the winter of 1984, when a temporary emergency shelter was established in the basement of University United Methodist Church. This effort evolved into a permanent shelter at Grace Episcopal Church and later became Transitional Housing, Inc. in 1987. Today, Porchlight continues its mission through innovative programs and partnerships, guided by a vision of a community without homelessness. The organization emphasizes values such as respect, accountability, diversity, and self-determination. It operates with a team of over 80 staff members across housing, emergency services, supportive services, and development, led by an executive director and specialized department heads.

The organization’s administrative offices are located at 4 South Blair Street in Madison, situated just a short walk from key local landmarks. It lies within a block of East Washington Avenue, near the Probation & Parole Division, the historic Nelson House, the Mattermore-Malaney House, and the Capitol City Lodge No. 2 community center, established institutions that anchor the neighborhood’s civic and cultural life.

Porchlight is recognized for a steady record of repeat and referred support, underscoring its trusted presence in the Madison community. Its long-standing commitment to direct service, collaboration, and advocacy has solidified its role as a vital resource in the region’s efforts to end homelessness.