MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County has, in the past, had trouble finding landlords to work with tenants that are involved with renter assistance programs
The county, which takes a housing first method approach to homelessness, is now working to change that with a new incentive.
In June 2024, the county created Landlord Incentives to Foster Tenancy, or LIFT. The program is a support network that encourages landlords to participate in rental assistance programs.
Edward Riggenbach is the owner of Welcome Home Milwaukee, a Milwaukee property company. He said his company has been working with the county rental assistance programs since 2014.
“I think one of the most difficult parts about being a landlord these days is that it is becoming more and more complex,” said Riggenbach. “Everyone’s life is a little bit more complex, especially when you are working with someone who is going through housing programs.”
Riggenbach said his team is only trained to be landlords. He said he often deals with tenants that require social workers or caseworkers.
“It can be difficult to draw a clear line if you feel like someone does not have the resources that they need,” said Riggenbach.
He said over the last two years, the county has done a good job at providing the assistance needed for tenants struggling with a variety of issues.
“County housing has done a great job at finding them support and taking the burden off of us and help people stay in their homes,” said Riggenbach. “In the past, we had to call the police and it is just a downward spiral from there.”
Alexi Millard is the landlord engagement coordinator with Milwaukee County and the creator of LIFT.
Millard said when landlords can participate in LIFT by lowering their tenant screening criteria, the county can then give them up to three times the contract rent in risk mitigation.
“That can cover things like broken windows, or any tenant caused damages and it can also cover up to one month of vacancy loss,” said Millard.
Prior to the creation of LIFT, the county was only able to cover one month of damages through a rapid rehousing program and a MyHome program.
Millard said when creating LIFT, her team spoke directly to landlords throughout the county to find out what worried them the most about housing this population.
She said most landlords were concerned about risk mitigation.
“There is definitely a perceived risk that people with renters’ assistance cause more damage and it is just something we are working to combat every single day,” said Millard. “We have paid out a few sign-on bonuses, so it is definitely working and I think it is going to continue to work as we spread the word.”
Millard said 50 landlords have signed up for LIFT since it was started in June 2024. The county has a database of over 1,000 landlords who are using rental assistance products.
While the program is still very new, Millard said there are 75 units that are working to house people. She said so far the housing navigation team has found homes for 25 to 30 people through LIFT.
“I would love our current landlords that we are already working with to sign up and see some of the more traditional property management groups lower some of those barriers,” said Millard. “Require less of the three to four monthly contract or income when they are looking at rent but also new landlords as well.”
As this program continues, Millard hopes that it will become bigger and get more funding for risk mitigation. She said it also hopes to develop more incentives for landlords to get involved.