“Making Rent: A conversation about eviction prevention and tenants’ rights” is an online event taking place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 7. You can sign up by clicking here. (Graphic by Claire DeRosa)
The federal eviction moratorium, scheduled to end Wednesday, March 31, has been extended through June 30.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention enacted the temporary halt on residential evictions on Sept. 4. The emergency order sought to halt the spread of COVID–19 and seasonal influenza and to reduce the increased risk of homeless shelters becoming overcrowded in fall and winter.
Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, signed the new order Monday.
As explained in previous articles, tenants are still obligated to pay rent and must file a declaration form to your landlord to be covered under the order.
Resources to consult if you’re worried about eviction
Unlike the last time the moratorium was scheduled to end, the City of Milwaukee has resources available to keep people housed.
The Social Development Commission, or SDC, recently secured $17.6 million through a federal grant to provide rental assistance to residents in the city.
George Hinton, the commission’s CEO, said the funds should be available soon.
“We aren’t disbursing funds yet because we are still completing contractional agreements,” Hinton said. “But the money is there.”
Kim Dawson-Brooks, SDCs marketing and communications specialist, said the staff is working to make the process of receiving assistance easier.
“As we get our third round of funding, we’re using previous experiences to do better,” she said. “We’re hoping it’ll be a smoother experience this time around. “
Other resources include the Rental Housing Resource Center, which is now up and running. The center provides tenants with connections for rental assistance, legal services and mediation services all in one place.
The center’s staff is now taking calls, responding to emails and ready to set up appointments.
Learn how to navigate housing crisis
Are you facing eviction, have housing uncertainty and/or barriers navigating the system?
With a panel of experts, we will discuss frequently asked questions faced by renters in challenging and urgent circumstances. This will include:
- Real stories of Milwaukee residents and solutions for their challenges
- Roadblocks renters face in the process when facing eviction
- Resources/information from local nonprofits and community organizations
Community representatives will lead the conversation with stories they’ve heard during the pandemic, and we welcome you to bring your questions.
“Making Rent: A conversation about eviction prevention and tenants’ rights” is an online event taking place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 7. It is brought to you by News414, a joint project of Wisconsin Watch and the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
You can sign up by clicking here.
Numbers to keep handy
- Community Advocates rent helpline: 414-270-4646
- Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee: 414-727-5300
- Mediate Milwaukee: 414-939-8800
- Legal Action of Wisconsin: 855-947-2529
- Social Development Commission: 414-906-2700
Check out our Instagram Story on “Milwaukee resources to help you avoid evictions.”
Help is just a text away with our News414 project with our friends from Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media. Text MILWAUKEE to 73224 to see how it works.
Good article. Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union should be included as a local organized dedicated to fighting back against predatory landlords and evictions. I know they’ve interviewed with y’all there and you’ve referenced them in articles before on the slew of evictions during the pandemic.
outreach@matunion.org
website: matunion.org
hotline: 414.410.9714
What about seniors over 60 yrs old., who have a Mortgage that’s in default, back in Jan.2020 to Dec.2020 Had to do Three Short Ssles and a Refinanced and was Denied by their Mortgage Company. I work 17hrs weekly for Aurora Health care as a Temporary Screener. I applied for Rental Assistance from Feb.2020 to Oct.2020 and not heard back from them either. Niw I am just waiting for my Condo to Forclosed by September 2021. I am a single Black female looking for affordable 55plus Apartment by Oct.2021in MILWAUKEE Wisconsin,
262-349-7464.