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Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program Set to Close January 31st |
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Contact: Kassidy Farrey, Communications & Outreach Manager
Telephone: 608-210-3384
Email: [email protected]
Website: Wiscap.org
For Immediate Release: January 20, 2023
Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program Set to Close January 31st
Madison, Wis. – Secretary Blumenfeld today announced that the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance program (WERA), funded by the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program through the U.S. Department of Treasury, will close applications on January 31, 2023, due to low remaining funds. Housing stability services will continue even after rental benefit funds are exhausted.
Since launching in 2021, WERA has paid out over $242 million in benefits to support more than 38,865 unique households across all 72 counties with rent, utilities, water, and internet payments. Overall, the program has provided a total of $544 million statewide to help families avoid homelessness due to pandemic-related financial hardship.
“Since launching this program, we’ve been able to help tens of thousands of households get caught up on rent, keep the heat and lights on, and ensure folks could stay connected during one of the most challenging economic periods our state has ever experienced,” said Gov. Evers. “Wisconsinites have had enough on their plate these last three years without also having to worry about having a safe, stable place to lay their head at night. I’m proud of our efforts to help Wisconsinites have one less stressor as they’ve worked to provide for themselves and their families.”
“This successful program has allowed thousands of households to catch up on utility bills and get some peace of mind during a very trying time, and we are making sure that housing stability services continue to be offered even after WERA benefit funds run out,” said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld. “We are grateful for Gov. Evers’ unwavering support and the commitment of our statewide network of partners in helping Wisconsin renters avoid eviction and retain safe, stable housing.”
The Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance program opened to Wisconsin residents in February 2021 and was administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration in partnership with WISCAP, member Community Action agencies, and Energy Services Inc. Applications are being accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31. Benefits will be paid to the extent that funding remains available, with priority given to households facing imminent eviction.
The counties of Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, and Waukesha, as well as the cities of Madison and Milwaukee, have operated their own emergency rental assistance programs. More information is available at doa.wi.gov/Pages/WERA.aspx.
Visit BadgerBounceback.wi.gov to view pandemic-related assistance information as well as the latest data and success stories about how COVID-relief investments are making a difference across the state.
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About WISCAP: The Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) is the statewide association for Wisconsin’s sixteen (16) Community Action agencies and two single-purpose agencies with statewide focus. You can learn more about WISCAP at wiscap.org |
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Workforce Innovation Grant Program |
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Contact: Kassidy Farrey, Communications & Outreach Manager
Telephone: 608-244-4422
Email: [email protected]
Website: Wiscap.org
For Immediate Release: June 23, 2022
A PDF of this release can be accessed here
WISCAP Receives $4.8 Million Grant from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to Support Increasing Wisconsin’s Nursing Workforce
Governor Tony Evers announced today that WISCAP will receive $4.8 million as part of the Workforce Innovation Grant Program through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). WISCAP’s network will use Workforce Innovation funding to provide opportunities for low to moderate income individuals in 47 counties to up-skill or re-skill into high demand nursing careers such as: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Medical Assistant, Associate Degree Nurse, and Registered Nurse (RN). The announcement comes as part of Round 2 of the governor’s Workforce Innovation Grant investment that provides $40.5 million to support collaborative, sustainable and innovative pandemic-recovery plans developed by regional organizations.
“WISCAP’s network is dedicated to helping families and individuals in Wisconsin realize true economic security, and the COVID pandemic has made it increasingly clear that a major re-investment in the nursing workforce is necessary. This grant from WEDC significantly furthers that goal,” said Brad Paul, WISCAP Executive Director.
Ten WISCAP member agencies have committed to helping up-skill or re-skill at least 142 low to moderate income individuals in a nursing profession. These member agencies include: ADVOCAP, Central Wisconsin Community Action Council, Couleecap, CAP Services, Lakeshore Community Action Program, Newcap, Social Development Commission, Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, and Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council.
In addition to the ten WISCAP member agencies, LeadingAge Wisconsin will partner in the award and provide on-site training opportunities and placements for up to 50 participants seeking to become a CNA. Training and placement will occur at one of LeadingAge’s members’ long-term care facilities throughout the state. LeadingAge member facilities will provide additional support for participants pursuing a CNA in areas such as financial education and workforce skills development.
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About WISCAP: The Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) is the statewide association for Wisconsin’s sixteen (16) Community Action agencies and two single-purpose agencies with statewide focus. You can learn more about WISCAP at wiscap.org |
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Community Action Month 2022 |
Community Action Month 2022
May 10, 2022
The Office of the Governor has proclaimed May “Community Action Month in Wisconsin.” The Governor’s proclamation highlights statewide community action programming in the areas of affordable housing, weatherization, food security, job training, entrepreneurship, Head Start, community economic development, transportation, health, and education. The proclamation comes at a time when community action agencies across the state are are continuing to respond to challenges exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A PDF of the proclamation is accessible here, and the proclamation wording is included below:
Whereas; according to the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP), one in ten Wisconsinites lives below the federal poverty line, and more than 17,000 kids and youth across our state experienced homelessness in 2020; and
Whereas; community action agencies are robust state and local forces that connect the people they serve to lifechanging services and create pathways to prosperity, and they can be found in almost every county in the United States; and
Whereas; community action agencies in Wisconsin have made essential contributions to our state, creating economic opportunities for low-income Wisconsinites and strengthening our communities; and
Whereas; WISCAP is comprised of 16 community action agencies, United Migrant Opportunity Services, and the Foundation for Rural Housing, which work together to fight poverty and help folks across our state achieve economic self-sufficiency; and
Whereas; since 1974, community action agencies in Wisconsin have contributed to policy development, community support and advocacy, and programming in the areas of affordable housing, weatherization, food security, employment, entrepreneurship, child development, community economic development, health, and education; and
Whereas; Wisconsin's community action agencies are committed to incorporating and amplifying the voices of the people living in the communities they serve, with a board structure that includes low-income individuals and families, elected officials or their representatives, and local professionals, groups, and interests; and
Whereas; while the coronavirus pandemic has presented unique and unprecedented challenges over the past two years, our community action agencies have consistently stepped up to meet these challenges, developing creative and innovative ways to ensure that all Wisconsinites continue to have access to the quality services and programming they need; and
Whereas; this month, the state of Wisconsin renews its resolve to partner with community action agencies and groups like WISCAP to fight inequities, reduce economic disparities, and provide resources and support to individuals, families, and communities throughout our state;
Now, Therefore; I, Tony Evers, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim May 2022 as COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH
throughout the State of Wisconsin and I commend this observance to all our state's residents.
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SEVERE SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN WISCONSIN MEANS FAMILIES WITH THE LOWEST INCOMES SUFFER MOST |
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Contact: Kassidy Farrey, Communications & Outreach Manager
Telephone: 608-244-4422
Email: [email protected]
Website: Wiscap.org
For Immediate Release: April 21, 2022
SEVERE SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN WISCONSIN MEANS FAMILIES
WITH THE LOWEST INCOMES SUFFER MOST
The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, a new report released today by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) and WISCAP finds a national shortage of 7 million affordable and available rental homes for the lowest-income households. There are just 36 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 of the lowest-income renter households nationwide. 71% of the poorest renter households are severely housing cost-burdened, spending more than half of their incomes on housing, with little left over for other basic necessities. The pandemic has only made things worse. Long-term federal investments are needed to combat this housing crisis for the lowest-income renters.
Every year, The Gap reports on the severe shortage of affordable rental homes available to extremely low-income families and individuals. Brad Paul, Executive Director of WISCAP, is calling attention to the crisis in affordable housing in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has only 34 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 households with extremely low incomes. We have over 188,000 extremely low-income renters in Wisconsin. 65% of these renters are severely housing cost burdened. Paul says, “Wisconsin can and must do better.”
The report shows how these lowest-income renters were uniquely positioned to suffer disproportionately from the effects of lost income and housing insecurity during the pandemic. Although the federal government took unprecedented actions to protect the lowest-income renters, the government’s actions were temporary. Most eviction moratoriums have been lifted and resources such as federal emergency rental assistance are running out. Longer-term federal investments in affordable housing are needed to combat the underlying shortage of affordable housing that exposed so many of these lowest-income renters to housing instability in the first place.
“The pandemic has made plain our nation’s lack of a housing safety net,” said NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel. “It is time to invest in long-term housing policies that will finally address the systemic shortage of affordable housing and provide housing stability for the lowest-income families.”
For additional information, visit: https://nlihc.org/gap
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About WISCAP: The Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) is the statewide association for Wisconsin’s sixteen (16) Community Action agencies and two single-purpose agencies with statewide focus. You can learn more about WISCAP at wiscap.org |
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