Skip to main content

Community Advocates Rental Assistance Programs

Community Advocates provides a range of programs and services for tenants and landlords in Milwaukee County. They include:

City of Milwaukee Rental Assistance: City of Milwaukee residents at risk of housing instability due to a temporary financial hardship may be eligible for Emergency Rental Assistance.

To qualify, applicants must meet these criteria: 

  • Age: 18 years or older 
  • Residency: Live in the City of Milwaukee 
  • Income Changes: Experienced a verifiable loss of income or financial hardship and at risk of eviction as a result 

Income Requirements

Household Size and Annual Income Limit 

  • 1 person: Less than $46,950 
  • 2 people: Less than $53,650 
  • 3 people: Less than $60,350 
  • 4 people: Less than $67,050 
  • 5 people: Less than $72,450 
  • 6 people: Less than $77,800 
  • 7 people: Less than $83,150 
  • 8 people: Less than $88,550  

More Details

  • Assistance types are determined based on individual circumstances and availability of funding. 
  • Eligible tenants may not exceed the maximum months of assistance allowed by the specific funding source. 
  • Utility assistance may be available for eligible households with proof of disconnection notice.  

What You Can Do

Eligible tenants can apply at the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center,  Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4  p.m., at Community Advocates, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee.  No appointment is necessary.

To request special accommodations, call 414-895-7368 or email info@renthelpmke.org. Community Advocates is also offering guidance to help tenants navigate the application process and connect with additional resources if needed. The RHRC will make referrals to Community Advocates and the center’s rental housing partners for assistance as well.  

If your residence has been issued a placard/vacate order by the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services, the Inspector will provide you with a referral for resources, including rental assistance. Community Advocates will contact you about your situation. 

Community Advocates Tenant/Landlord Programs: For tenants and landlords dealing with housing instability or lack of resources that could lead to eviction. Click here.

Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center: The RHRC walk-in clinic, located in the Community Advocates building at 728 N. James Lovell Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, operates Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During these hours, tenants and landlords can consult with an intake specialist on a first-come, first-served basis. The intake team will assess needs and offer resources or referrals for rent and utilities assistance, landlord/tenant dispute resolution through neutral mediation, and relocation services. Visit the RHRC, go to RentHelpMKE.org, or call 414-895-RENT (7368) for more information.

Berrada Properties Tenant Eviction Diversion Program: If you are a current Berrada Properties tenant and your rent is more than five days late due to financial hardship—or if you are unable to pay next month’s rent—you may be at risk of eviction. The Berrada Properties Tenant Eviction Diversion Program has several options that may be able to help. Click here to learn more.

Waukesha County Emergency Rental Assistance: Effective September 26, 2024, Community Advocates has stopped accepting new applications for direct rental assistance in Waukesha County as funding has concluded. Please visit Housing Action Coalition of Waukesha County for resources and support services around housing and homelessness.