Community Advocates hosts Berrada Application Appointments for tenants seeking income-based housing in Milwaukee. This program is part of the Wisconsin Department of Justice's (DOJ) settlement with Berrada Properties and is monitored by both the DOJ and the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

Each month, Berrada Properties is required to send Community Advocates a list of 25 available units until 300 units are filled. As of November 2025, 127 people have been approved and 75 of those individuals have moved in.

Apply in Person

Twice a month, a pop-up event is held in the Community Advocates lobby, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee for eligible potential tenants to apply for the Berrada Low-Income Based Rental Program. The program allows tenants to pay reduced rent on a unit in a Berrada Properties building. At this time, only 1-bedroom units are available. Events are posted on Community Advocates’ Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CommunityAdvocatesMilwaukee/) and registration is required.

In order to be eligible, all of the following must be true:

• Not a current Berrada tenant
• No current, open eviction
• Not a full-time student
• No conviction of felony or misdemeanors related to a violent offense; other convictions to be decided on a case-by-case basis

Please bring the following documents when you come to an application appointment:

• Valid ID
• Proof of income: 6 weeks of pay stubs if paid weekly, 3 pay stubs if paid bi-weekly, and if receiving SSI/SSDI, a current award letter

Filling Out an Application:

• When you come in for your appointment, you will be asked to fill out three applications.
• Berrada Tax Credit Application
• Berrada Rental Application
• Community Advocates Low Income Intake Application

These applications ask for a variety of information, including Social Security Number, residence history, employment information, and income. To prepare you for the application process, we recommend having a list of previous employers and residence history available to reference. If you have a digital copy of the necessary information, Community Advocates can help print the documents at the time of application.

If your application is approved, you will receive a call within 2 to 4 weeks. If you do not hear back, your application has been denied.

After You Are Approved

If approved, you will be given the opportunity to visit the unit. If the unit does not appear ready for move in at the showing, you may request to see another unit, however this is based on availability only. After you visit it, you can either accept or decline to enter into the Berrada Low-Income Based Rental Program.

After you view and approve the unit, you’ll be told to start saving for the $900 security deposit. You will need to provide Berrada Properties with a $300 money order at the showing, which will go toward your total Security Deposit at move in. The additional $600 of the security deposit, as well as the first month’s rent, will be due at move in. Your rent will be determined by how much you make, paying 30% of your monthly income.

Berrada Low-Income Based Rental Program clients are required to sign a two-year lease with the property, with a recertification after the first year.

More Help for Berrada Tenants

As part of the DOJ-Berrada settlement agreement, Community Advocates also administers the following for current Berrada tenants:

• Eviction diversion support for Berrada tenants, such as payment agreements, assessments for one-time rent assistance, and move out agreements
• Rent assistance if you’re only one month behind
• Help with a move out plan, including costs sent directly to a moving company or storage facility. If you wish to break your lease, you must move out within 15 days.

For more information and Frequently Asked Questions, please go to https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/BerradaSettlementFAQ.aspx