MILWAUKEE – A Wisconsin program started during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide emergency rental assistance is ending at the state level.
However, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties plan to continue their operations. They look for families at risk of displacement to find out if money is still available.
Jeff Chiu/AP
Maudwela Kirkendall, chief operating officer of Community Advocates of Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, which helps people get rental assistance, said the program is funded and will not end.
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“We currently have a significant amount of funding for both counties,” Kirkendoll said.
He says it’s how the money is distributed. Connor Gogans, lead community intervention specialist for Milwaukee County Housing Services, said that while the state receives Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) from the federal government, it is provided in a few ways at the state, county and city levels. Level.
“This allows us to continue the program longer than the state, so we don’t have an application deadline at this time,” Gogans said.
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When the first round of ERA funding came out, families had to prove financial hardship due to Covid. However, now they just have to prove the difficulty. Milwaukee County received $23.4 million. It has helped 12,000 families so far.
“Because of the post-pandemic America’s Rescue Plan Act, there’s ERA II money. You don’t need the covid-related. You just need the financial crisis, so there’s still a huge amount in Milwaukee. County,” Gogans said.
Jeremy Dunk
You must be a low-income tenant to qualify and not have used the program for more than 18 months in total.
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“In addition to the financial crisis, all the stories are different. We have individuals who are sick, who have been in a car accident and can’t work, they have lost their jobs, there are different situations that lead the individuals here. Come to apply,” said Kirkendoll. “The ultimate goal of this program is to stabilize families and make sure they are not on the street .
Kirkendoll encourages people to apply before they face eviction, but says they can help even if you’re in the process of eviction and work with your landlord.
If you are experiencing financial hardship in Milwaukee or Waukesha County, you can apply for rental assistance through the Community Advocate at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. Walk-in appointments are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or you can call 414-270-4646. Milwaukee County residents can contact the Social Development Commission at 414-906-2700 for assistance.
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