Eviction Prevention Assistance
~ We help families address their personal challenges and help them become better tenants ~
Eviction Prevention & Emergency Assistance
Stable housing is the foundation which people build their lives — absent a safe, decent, affordable place to live, it is next to impossible to achieve good health, positive educational outcomes or to reach one’s overall potential. Families First identifies its programming and services as playing a key role in providing benefits to society at large. Offering access to decent and affordable housing has a definite impact on an individuals and family’s stability, the life outcomes of children and community health and wellness.
Our Eviction Prevention and Emergency Assistance Program goal is to keep you and your family in your home and to help you regain stability from the current challenges that are putting you and your family at-risk. We know that a crisis or tragedy such as a job loss, addiction, illness or medical emergency, mental illness, or disability can happen at any time causing life to take an unfortunate turn. Which runs into an even greater challenge of paying for rent, utilities or the basic needs for daily living that is the leading cause of homelessness in our community.
Families First Programs
Through the provision of one-time financial assistance, Families First immediately prevents households from entering homeless situations, and through case care management, ensures supporting them as they work toward safe, long-term housing and economic stability.
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Through our Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) funds, we can offer 1st months’ rent, security deposits and rental arrearages (Eviction Notices of 5-day or 14-day) to those who are eligible and qualify for assistance. Additionally, Families First has other funding sources that can help with delinquent payments for utilities (including propane) other bills (that qualify) and some basic needs such as transportation, clothing or equipment for new employment, medication, (not covered by insurance), other repairs and services if eligible for assistance. For specific help with utility assistance click here.
In addition to emergency financial assistance, our Eviction Prevention program adds another layer with Tenant and Landlord education, landlord and tenant mediation and information regarding tenant rights and obligations in the state of Wisconsin. CCMs will provide information and/or skill-building to help you understand and comply with the requirements of your lease, address lease violations or poor landlord references due to conflicts with past tenants, or “red flags” such as damages to an apartment, or problems controlling children, guests, trash, or noise in your rental history. Our CCMs will address these conflicts and past “red flags” by conducting home visits to help solve in caring for your unit, controlling noise, setting boundaries for guests or children and setting up role playing scenarios between you and your landlord when a repair needs to be requested.
Our Eviction Prevention Program will provide:
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Free information about tenant and landlord rights/responsibilities, relevant housing laws, and basic information about the court process to tenants and landlords. Please note that our CCM’s are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice or represent anyone in court.
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Maintaining your apartment. Information will be given to tenants on how to review their rental agreement and state regulations for types of repairs and maintenance. They will learn how to use the Move-In Inspection Form as a means for determining who is responsible for repairs. It will also help tenants prepare a list of questions to ask landlords at the time of move-in concerning repairs and so forth.
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Prioritizing housing needs. Tenants will learn how to use the Housing Preferences Worksheet to prioritize their needs and seek certain features such as the type of neighborhood, building or apartment would like to live in. Rank how these features fall on the list of importance. Once the sheet is complete, tenants are prepared to ask landlords about the things that are important to them, keep track of them and compare apartments at the end to make the best choice for a living situation for them.
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Housing resource packets for tenants at-risk of homelessness and develop a plan if tenants are evicted, look for housing so they don't end up in a homeless shelter and help them understand what services might be available in Monroe County.
You and a CCM will work to maintain your home and avoid the trauma of homelessness.
https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents/LT-LandlordTenantGuide497.pdf