How to get rental assistance in Wisconsin | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Vanessa Swales, Wisconsin Watch
July 14, 2021
If I haven’t applied yet, am I still eligible and what help can I get?
Yes. Eligible applicants may receive up to 15 months of aid in a combination of rental payments and/or security deposits. These payments will be paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant. To apply, applicants must:
How do I apply?
There are two programs in Milwaukee:
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If you do not live in Milwaukee County, there are other agencies that can help you.
The Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) coordinates the program through its member agencies. Most agencies offer online applications, but some instruct applicants to send an email requesting a WERA application. Apply at the agency that serves your county, as outlined below:
If you live in Brown, Dane and Waukesha counties and the city of Madison, here’s where renters there can go:
To apply you must provide the following information and documentation:
If I’m in Milwaukee, should I apply to both SDC and Community Advocates?
SDC and Community Advocates have recommended against applying to both programs, because it would add to the backlog of cases still needing to be processed by the agencies. Representatives of the Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union, however, have recommended that residents apply to all programs they are eligible for because one application could be processed much faster than the other.
Am I eligible if I am undocumented, a non-citizen or have no Social Security number?
Rental assistance funds come from the federal government, and Congress left eligibility open to non-citizens — including those who lack Social Security numbers or are undocumented. Neither states nor local governments may impose their own immigration restrictions in lieu of the federal government, according to a National Housing Law Project fact sheet.
Wisconsin residents can apply for rental assistance as long as they meet income-related requirements.
Applicants will not be asked about their immigration status at any point during the process.
Accepting rental assistance should not harm an immigrant’s application for legal status under the concept of the “public charge,” legal experts say.
What do I do if my application is still pending and my landlord still hasn’t received payment?
Try asking the organization you applied to for an update.
If you’re a Milwaukee resident struggling to get a hold of a representative, contact the Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union at 414-410-9714 or via email outreach@matunion.org to speak with volunteers who can directly reach out to their contacts at either SDC or Community Advocates.
Alternatively you can contact us, News414, by texting “MKE” to 73224. For Spanish, text “MKEESP” to 73224. We will try to connect you with the right folks to get an update on your application and any other information you might need.
Who else can I contact for help?