How Milwaukee County residents can get free legal help for evictions, foreclosures | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
September 21, 2021
If you are facing eviction or foreclosure, Milwaukee County has a program for qualified residents that offers free legal assistance. (Stock photo)
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Filings are expected to increase after the federal ban on evictions expires Oct. 3.
To help residents, Milwaukee County Supervisor David Crowley signed “Right to Counsel Milwaukee” into law on July 19. This pilot program provides free legal representation to anyone facing eviction or foreclosure.
Supervisor Ryan Clancy authored the legislation. United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County and the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee are the lead organizations for the program, which launched Sept. 1.
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We spoke to Colleen Foley, the executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, to answer questions about the program.
The Right to Counsel pilot program provides an advocate to help tenants identify and evaluate legal rights and obligations. They plan to help by linking both landlords and tenants to available funding, negotiating disputes and accessing wraparound services.
The goal is to decrease eviction filings and significantly reduce the public costs associated with the court, criminal justice and human service system response to evictions. Ultimately, the program ensures that the legal system works in a fair and just manner and that no one side dominates.
No. Right To Counsel Milwaukee pilot program is for Milwaukee County residents at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. That would be $25,760 a year for one person and $53,000 for a family of four.
United Way provides administrative leadership, including fundraising, communications and outreach, while the Legal Aid Society will provide legal advice, representation and community legal education. Legal Aid has hired 10 new lawyers, two paralegals and two intake specialists for the project and is developing a robust subcontract for additional attorney staffing from Legal Action of Wisconsin.
You can call the now live hotline at (414) 892-7368 and you can use the website to get in contact with them.
Have information ready in advance. Applicants will be asked to provide the following information during the application process:
Remember that a vast majority of court hearings are still taking place virtually, so you will have to find access if you don’t have it. This is something you’ll have help with from the program.
UPDATE: New eviction ban expires in October. Here’s what you need to know to keep a roof over your head.
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