June is National Homeownership Month, and at EvictionFreeMKE, we believe that everyone deserves a chance to own a home and build wealth for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, for many individuals with previous eviction(s) on their record, the road to homeownership can be difficult. However, with the right resources and support, it is possible to overcome these challenges and achieve the dream of homeownership. If you have a previous eviction on your record and are looking to become a homeowner in Wisconsin, here are some tips and resources to help you navigate the process: Know you ..read more

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and at EvictionFreeMKE, we believe that safe, stable housing is a critical component of mental health and well-being. Studies have shown that housing stability is linked to better mental health outcomes, while eviction and housing instability can have a significant negative impact on mental health. The connection between housing and mental health is complex, but it is clear that safe, stable housing is an essential part of building a healthy and resilient community. When individuals have access to safe and affordable housing, they are more likely to experi ..read more

April is National Fair Housing Month, a time to commemorate the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968 and to recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of ensuring equal housing opportunities for all. At EvictionFreeMKE, we believe that safe, stable housing is a fundamental human right, and we are dedicated to promoting housing justice and protecting the rights of renters in Milwaukee. The Fair Housing Act was a critical piece of legislation that prohibited discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. It was a significant step ..read more

As an initiative started by the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, EvictionFreeMKE is dedicated to promoting housing justice and protecting the rights of renters in Milwaukee. We believe that safe, stable housing is a fundamental human right, and we are committed to helping families stay in their homes and avoid the trauma and negative health effects of eviction. During National Public Health Week, we want to draw attention to the critical connection between housing and health. Poor housing conditions can lead to a wide range of health problems, including respiratory illnesses, lead poisoning, an ..read more

Tenants and landlords both have rights and responsibilities. As a tenant, it's important to know what your rights are regarding mitigation, as well as what you can do if things don't go according to plan. What is mitigation and what does it mean for you? Mitigation is a step landlords take to assist current as well as soon to be tenants a little help to help and prevent evictions. Mitigation is when the landlord works with the tenant to find a way to pay the rent. As a tenant, you not only have rights but also responsibilities. Are you aware of your responsibilities as a tenant? If not, here a ..read more

Tenants should be aware of their rights and responsibilities when renting, especially in the event of a landlord-tenant dispute. Tenants should know what to expect from their rental agreement, how to protect themselves from unscrupulous landlords, and what steps they can take if something goes wrong in the rental process. Helpful Tips for Tenants You should always have a rental agreement with your landlord. This is an important part of the legal contract between you and your property owner and it will help you understand what costs are covered by the owner, and which ones are your responsibil ..read more

Eviction is a process that can be difficult to navigate alone. The eviction process involves multiple steps, such as going to court and representing yourself against the landlord. This guide will help you understand how the eviction process works so you can decide what's best for your situation. Heading to Court If you are facing eviction, it is important to know what to expect and how to prepare for court. Prepare for the hearing by gathering all the documents related to your case. This includes: proof of service (if applicable) lease agreement with any rental company receipts from repa ..read more

Eviction is stressful, but with a child, the pressure ramps up. Eviction can be stressful for any adult, but when you're a parent, it's even more challenging. Especially if you have children who depend on you to take care of them. As much as we may want to shut down and stop caring about anything else in the world besides our child (and sometimes our own basic well-being), it's important that we also take steps to maintain a sense of calmness—both for ourselves and our kids' sake. The first step towards maintaining this level of calm? Keep your routine as stable as possible. This means going ..read more

Finding and maintaining quality housing has proven time and time again to be a very difficult task. When you add in the element of being a low income family this can feel nearly impossible, having any other hurdles can seem catastrophic.  Being low income or no income with children is a very difficult circumstance to navigate, and while you may have limited means to make solid decisions on housing for your family, knowing your resources can make all the difference.  Let's take a look at a scenario and then outline resources that can support in navigating this circumstance. You are ..read more

This year’s theme for the National Minority Health Month in April is “Give Your Community a Boost” and is a great time to shed more light on how the COVID 19 pandemic has greatly affected people in minority racial communities and encourage everyone to get vaccinated. It is also a time to raise awareness about the tactics like early detection and health education, that can be used to resolve the unequal access to healthcare that affects people of color, as is done annually. As far back as 1915 when it was known as National Negro Health Week, the National Minority Health Month has been used to e ..read more