Safe & Stable Homes: EvictionFreeMKE
Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. But for many in our community, that security can be threatened by unexpected life events.
Often, evictions are the culmination of a series of challenges such as a sudden car repair, a medical emergency, or the need to care for a loved one. When individuals fall behind on rent due to factors that are outside of their control, they can be left scared, confused, and without hope.
“It’s never just an eviction,” noted Fran Voci of Legal Aid Society. “It’s the straw on the camel’s back that might break somebody.”
Legal Aid Society’s EvictionFreeMKE program is helping to change that reality. Before their launch in 2021, just 3% of individuals in Milwaukee County had any form of legal representation in court when facing eviction. Today, with support from EvictionFreeMKE, 15-25% of individuals have legal representation. This program not only educates tenants about their rights and obligations — helping to break the cycle of housing insecurity — it’s also mutually beneficial to tenants and landlords by providing mediation and resources to both parties, allowing tenants a chance to reset financially.
“EvictionFreeMKE makes Milwaukee a better place to be for everyone,” Collen Foley, Executive Director of Legal Aid Society, said.
Our strategies come to life through a variety of partners including Legal Action of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Bar Association Foundation, and Legal Aid Society’s EvictionFreeMKE program.
Your support for Safe & Stable Homes has helped Milwaukee neighbors navigate eviction and stay safely housed through these strategies. Your continued support will help to restore more hope to more individuals and families in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.