City of Milwaukee announces $15M in CARES Act funding for rent support and assistance

MILWAUKEE - Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Wisconsin in early March, the City of Milwaukee has been working to keep Milwaukee families housed. On July 30 the City of Milwaukee announced an allocation of an additional $15 million in CARES Act funding for rent support and assistance to help over 3,000 families remain in stable housing.

“With the end of federal assistance, I’m very concerned that people will be losing their homes,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “I have been very pleased to see that as families seek help, many landlords have been holding back on evictions, knowing that rent support is on its way. We’re hard at work with our local partners to make sure that Milwaukee residents do not have these major disruptions in their lives.”

According to a press release, families will be allowed up to $3,000 in support of rent payments or security deposits. Funding will follow the same income criteria as the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program.

Candidates must be an adult resident with a household income at or below 80% of County Median Income in the month prior to the date of application. Persons at or below 60% County Median Income receive priority. Only one recipient is allowed per qualified household. Applicants must provide documentation showing a loss of employment or a reduction in income due to COVID-19.

Milwaukee residents seeking assistance can request an application through Community Advocates via email at renthelp@communityadvocates.net or phone at (414) 270-4646, or apply online here. Applications for rent assistance through the Social Development Commission are still available online here, and landlords are encouraged to participate.