Tenant Resource Center Inc

Tenant Resource Center has been working for housing justice in Wisconsin since 1980. We are a nonprofit, membership organization dedicated to promoting positive relations between rental housing consumers (tenants) and providers (landlords) throughout Wisconsin. By providing information and referrals, education about rental rights and responsibilities, and access to conflict resolution, we empower the community to obtain and maintain quality affordable housing. 

We are a strong team made up of a few paid staff and many volunteers. Together with donors like you and Community Shares of Wisconsin, we unlock the doors to affordable housing and keep families safe in their homes.

We run two offices and an on-site program at small claims court during weekly eviction hearings. All of our services are free, and available by phone, e-mail, website, or in person without an appointment -- making Tenant Resource Center easy and accessible for our diverse clients.

We serve the community with these main programs for tenants, landlords, homeless persons, and agency partners:

- Rental Rights Counseling: We do statewide education and community outreach about rental rights and remedies, serving 18,000+ people each year with one-on-one housing counseling, an extensive website of information, and group seminars.

- Mediation: We prevent eviction and homelessness by helping ~400 tenants and landlords each year toresolve disputes by mutual agreement.

We help people at every point in their housing story. This might start when a homeless family comes to us looking for help:

1. We would give them an immediate referral to a shelter or a cheap motel room for the night, other survival resources for food, prescriptions, transportation, clothing, etc. 

2. When they are ready to move in, we can connect them with help paying for the security deposit -- including our own unique Security Deposit Loan Program offering flexible, zero-interest loans. 

3. While the family is living in their new apartment, recovering from the trauma of their last experience, they can come to us anytime for help reading their lease and following the rules, keeping the peace with the neighbors, or asking for help with things like getting their heat fixed during winter. 

4. If they are ever at risk for eviction, we will explain their rights and responsibilities, and how to avoid court if possiblet. If they do end up in court, we will be there with mediators to help them keep their housing. 

5. And, should they move to another apartment, or buy property someday and become landlords, we will give them the education and referrals they need to stay successful!

Your donations are critical!