Zoe Alvarez
If you are looking for rent assistance in Wisconsin, there are several options available to you. The Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA) provides benefits for all Wisconsin counties except Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, and Waukesha. You can apply for WERA by completing a WHEAP application for energy assistance or by filling out an online WERA pre-application. Additionally, WHEDA works with local agents to provide rental assistance in 48 Wisconsin counties without community programs, and you can contact a Wisconsin Public Housing Authority to inquire about Housing Choice Vouchers. Milwaukee residents can also seek help from Community Advocates, which offers rental assistance and resources for tenants and landlords. Waukesha County residents can find support through the Housing Action Coalition of Waukesha County. Furthermore, you may be eligible for Emergency Assistance (EA) if you are a parent or relative caring for a minor and meet certain income and asset requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who to contact | Wisconsin Public Housing Authority, WHEDA, Community Advocates, WERA, EA, USDA |
| Who is eligible | Families, parents or relatives caring for a child under 18, low-income families, elderly, disabled individuals |
| Requirements | Income and asset information, family composition, Social Security Numbers, proof of residence |
| Application process | Online, phone, in-person |
| What to expect | Verification of information, voucher specifying unit size and maximum rent, annual inspection, subsidy |
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What You'll Learn
Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA)
The Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA) provides rental assistance benefits to eligible residents across Wisconsin, except for Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, and Waukesha counties.
To qualify for WERA benefits, applicants must meet specific requirements and submit necessary documentation. The program does not require a Social Security Number, Social Security Card, or US citizenship for eligibility. Applicants should complete the online WERA pre-application on the wera.help website. After submitting the pre-application, applicants will receive an email with detailed instructions and the required forms, such as the WERA income attestation and WERA renter verification forms.
The required documentation typically includes providing a copy of the lease and/or proof of rental payments. If the landlord is not already a participant in the WERA program, they will need to complete a landlord vendor agreement form to receive rental payments. WERA recipients may also be eligible for utility payment assistance as part of the program.
Once the application is complete, the agency will verify the information provided to determine eligibility. If approved, the applicant will receive a voucher specifying the maximum rent and utilities allowed for their unit size. The selected unit must pass a physical inspection annually for the subsidy to be paid. The resident is responsible for paying rent if the lease is signed before the unit passes inspection.
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Community Advocates Rental Assistance
Community Advocates offers a range of programs and services to assist tenants and landlords in Milwaukee County. The Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center (RHRC) is located at 728 N. James Lovell Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, and operates from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. The RHRC Triage Team accepts walk-in appointments during these hours, where tenants and landlords can consult with an intake specialist on a first-come, first-served basis. The team assesses needs and offers resources or referrals for rent and utilities assistance, landlord/tenant dispute resolution through neutral mediation, and rehousing services.
Community Advocates also provides a Rent HelpLine at 414-270-4646 or [email protected] for tenants and landlords facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. They can provide information and resources to address rental housing problems, including rent, utilities, eviction prevention, and basic needs assistance. Due to the high volume of calls, it is recommended that individuals email their housing concerns and contact information if possible.
In addition, Community Advocates administers the City of Milwaukee Emergency Rental Assistance Program. However, as of August 6, 2025, this program has paused accepting new applications due to limited funding. For those who have already submitted completed applications, notifications of decisions will be made.
For Waukesha County residents, Community Advocates previously offered direct rental assistance but has stopped accepting new applications as of September 26, 2024, due to funding limitations. Instead, residents can seek resources and support services from the Housing Action Coalition of Waukesha County.
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Public Housing Authority
To apply for rent assistance in Wisconsin, you will primarily be dealing with the Public Housing Authority (PHA) in your area. Each county in Wisconsin has its own PHA, and you will need to apply directly to your local PHA for rental assistance.
The PHA is responsible for providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. They
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Legal Action of Wisconsin
To be eligible for rental assistance in Wisconsin, applicants must meet certain requirements. Firstly, they must be adult Wisconsin residents, although assistance does not require recipients to be legal US residents, and immigration status will not be questioned. Secondly, applicants must have a household income of up to 80% of the county median income and have experienced financial hardship or significant costs due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Lastly, applicants must be at risk of becoming homeless or experiencing unstable housing.
Eligible applicants may receive up to 15 months of aid, which can include rental payments and/or security deposits. These payments will be made directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant. To apply for rental assistance, applicants can either complete an online application or submit a hard copy.
The Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA) is another option for those seeking rental assistance. WERA serves all Wisconsin counties except Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, and Waukesha. To apply for WERA benefits, individuals can complete a WHEAP application for energy assistance or the provided online WERA pre-application for rental assistance. No Social Security Number, Social Security Card, or US Citizenship is required for WERA eligibility. After completing the pre-application, applicants will receive an email with detailed instructions and the necessary forms to complete their application.
Other resources for renters in Wisconsin include the Tenant Resource Center, which serves Madison and surrounding Dane County, and Community Advocates, which serves Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. The Southwestern Community Action Program serves Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, and Richland counties, while West CAP serves Barron, Burnett, Chippewa, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix, and Washburn counties.
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Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) is committed to expanding access to affordable housing choices and economic prosperity for everyone in Wisconsin. WHEDA has been working towards this goal for over 50 years, and since 1972, it has financed more than 88,700 affordable rental units, helped more than 141,800 families purchase a home, and made over 29,280 small business and agricultural loan guarantees.
WHEDA works collaboratively with lenders, developers, local government, nonprofits, community groups, and others to implement its low-cost financing programs. They also work to protect housing as a core human need and strive to ensure that all people in Wisconsin have an affordable place to call home. WHEDA supports the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, colour, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, and familial status.
To apply for rent assistance through WHEDA, eligible families must pay between 30-40% of their adjusted income for rent. The balance is then subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Applications are handled by the agencies with whom WHEDA contracts, and any requests or questions should be directed to these agents. The application will require the names and Social Security Numbers of all family members who will reside in the unit, family income and assets, and other pertinent information.
Once an application has been submitted, the agency will verify the information to determine eligibility. If eligible, a voucher will specify the unit size and the maximum rent and utilities allowed. The selected unit must pass a physical inspection annually, and the subsidy can only be paid if the unit passes inspection and there is a signed lease and HAP contract. The resident is responsible for rent if a lease is signed before the unit passes inspection. It is important to note that WHEDA does not distribute or accept Housing Choice Voucher applications in their office.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to complete a WHEAP application for energy assistance. This can be done by calling 800-506-5596 to book an appointment at one of the service centers or by completing the provided online WERA pre-application form.
After completion of your WERA pre-application, you will receive an email with detailed instructions and the necessary WERA income attestation and WERA renter verification forms required to complete your application.
If your landlord is not a current participant in the WERA program, you will be assisted in providing them with a simple landlord vendor agreement form, which will be necessary for processing rental payments.
You can also apply for the Housing Choice Voucher program, administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). You can find a list of Public Housing Authority contacts by state or call 800-955-2232 for help in finding your local Public Housing Authority.
Yes, there are several other programs available, including the Foundation for Rural Housing, which offers rental assistance and security and utility deposit assistance for qualifying applicants in all Wisconsin counties except for Milwaukee, Dane, and Racine. You can contact them at [email protected] or (608) 238-3448 for more information.
