Madison’s “Seen and Unseen” Event Sheds Light on Homelessness Crisis
MADISON, Wis. — Community members gathered around Capitol Square on Tuesday for “Seen and Unseen,” an immersive event organized by Urban Triage. The event was designed to shed light on the struggles of those experiencing homelessness by allowing participants to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals without housing.
Building Empathy and Understanding
The event aimed to build understanding and empathy for a growing segment of Madison’s population while highlighting the complex factors that contribute to homelessness. Participants engaged with the experience to foster a more compassionate response to the crisis.
“This problem is not separate from each individual and society. There’s a lot of intersectionality and homelessness can happen to anyone in this society and community. So, it’s not a separate problem from what they’re facing. It’s something that all of us should join together to solve.”
Rising Homelessness in Madison
The timing of the event coincides with concerning trends in Madison’s homeless population. A recent survey by the City of Madison shows an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness since 2023. In 2025, just under 800 people faced homelessness in the city. Channel 3000 reported on these findings.
A Shift in Approach from Law Enforcement
The growing numbers have caught the attention of local law enforcement. Madison Police Chief John Patterson says his department is working to change its approach to address homelessness.
“As you pointed out, a growing segment of our community. We’re just trying to better connect with them, better serve them, and hopefully rely less on citations and arrests. To get to the root causes of any issues that they may be facing.”
This shift reflects a broader community conversation about how to address homelessness effectively, moving toward understanding root causes rather than punitive measures.
Urban Triage and “The Substantial Share 2026”
The “Seen and Unseen” event was part of The Big Share 2026, Urban Triage’s most critical day of collective action and giving. The event featured four stations around Capitol Square, each representing different parts of navigating homelessness. Madison365 detailed the interactive walking tour designed to give an in-depth experience on the struggles of those impacted by homelessness.
Personal Connections and the Require for Dignity
For some participants, the connection to the issue was deeply personal. Bre Morgan shared her own experiences, emphasizing the importance of treating people experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect.
“I felt their pain. I’ve lived the pain. I’ve broken down and I shoulder. I’ve had panic attacks. We are still human beings, but we deserve to be treated like human beings. And even though I’m not in the shelter anymore, I still want to help.”
Urban Triage organizers hoped the experience would help people understand what drives homelessness and the human impact behind the statistics.