DANE COUNTY, Wis.— Some Dane County residents who are struggling because of the pandemic, will have a new lifeline to avoid eviction.
January 31 has been looming over the heads of some Wisconsin families for months.
That’s when the federal CDC eviction moratorium ends.
That means at the end of the month, thousands of Wisconsinites could be in danger of homelessness.
The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau is from mid-December 2020. It showed 14% of tenants knew they wouldn’t be able to pay the next month’s rent.
“While the vaccine brings hope on the horizon, people are scared. People are struggling,” said Dane County executive Joe Parisi. “And they need our help now.”
Officials from Dane County and the City of Madison announced their plan to issue about $16 million to help people pay their rent.
That money comes from the latest federal coronavirus relief package that they’ve been waiting for since last May.
“In some ways, this is too little, and much, much too late,” said Madison mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.
Last spring, a similar program had about $10 million for rent assistance in Dane County. That ultimately kept about 17,000 Dane County families in their homes.
The money will be distributed by the tenant resource center. Executive director Robin Sereno said they’ve spent a lot of time improving the process from the first round in the spring.
They’re hiring 10 more people, to be more accessible to tenants, and have involved landlords in the grant process. Under this system, tenants can pay their bills, and landlords still get income to pay their mortgages.
Still, this $16 million is just a drop in the bucket. Sereno said to pay all the back rent, would cost about $40 million.
“This in no way will meet the full scope of the need in our community,” Rhodes-Conway said. “Just barely scratches the surface.”
Sereno said this money will be vital to keeping the whole community safer.
“[The pandemic has been] forcing many residents into unsafe living situations, whether that be actual homelessness, doubling up with family or friends, or having to relocate during this health crisis,” she said. “All resulting in significantly increased risk to each and every one of us.”
To be eligible for rental assistance, people need to make 50% or lower of the median income in their city. They also have to show an economic loss from the pandemic, and be able to show that they’re at risk of eviction.
Madison's plan for the money needs to be approved by the Madison common council. The Dane County plan needs approval from the county board. Both should get the rubber stamp over the next few weeks.