Fifty-five people are now homeless after a fire burns their apartment building to the ground.
The Embers Apartments in Sheboygan provided much needed low-income housing in the area. Now with the building a total loss, it's creating distress and concern for former residents like Lunnard Zimmer.
"I have to get a driver's license, I have to get social security cards and all of this stuff," said Zimmer.
Zimmer has lived in The Ember's for 21 years and he says starting over isn't easy.
Of the more than 50 people displaced, 19 of them are sleeping in the Farnsworth Middle School gymnasium in the Red Cross shelter.
"Some are staying with family and friends or find other locations to stay. Some come here during the day to get a snack or a meal and some are staying over night with us because they have absolutely nowhere else to stay," explained Northeast Wisconsin Red Cross executive, Steve Hansen.
20 different agencies are working together to help those impacted start over. One of the busiest spots is housing, but it's also the most challenging.
"A lot of the people that we're seeing are very low income so as you can imagine the low income housing or the subsidized housing in Sheboygan is practically full. Shelters are full and there's very little housing available for those with limited income," said Sheboygan County housing resource specialist, Ruth Orozco.
Housing leaders are having to reach out to Manitowoc County for help to place people in homes.
The Red Cross says they will continue to help those affected until everyone has a place to stay.
