You have the Right to Legal Assistance

You have a right to legal assistance whether you are facing eviction or need help finding a place to live. Legal aid agencies and other organizations offer services for low-income tenants and those who are at risk of losing their homes. In addition to providing free legal advice, these groups also assist with landlord/tenant mediation and other housing issues such as security deposits, repairs, mold remediation and lead paint hazards.

One in ten renter households in Milwaukee was evicted between 2009 and 2016, according to a report from the Milwaukee Eviction Prevention Consortium.

The eviction crisis is real. One in ten renter households in Milwaukee was evicted between 2009 and 2016, according to a report from the Milwaukee Eviction Prevention Consortium. This represents more than one-third of all evictions filed in Wisconsin during that time period, with racial minorities disproportionately affected by eviction relative to their share of the overall population.

In addition to being a problem for those who are forced out of their homes, evictions also hurt communities as whole, contributing to neighborhoods becoming less safe and having fewer resources for everyone who lives there. Finally, it's important for you know that if you're facing an eviction—or know someone who is—you have rights under federal law:

This has created an eviction crisis in Milwaukee, leaving individuals with poor credit or loss of employment unable to find decent housing.

Evictions are a civil matter, and it's important that you understand the legal process. Not only can eviction have long-term consequences like loss of housing and poor credit, but in some cases it could also result in criminal charges.

In Milwaukee, individuals with poor credit or loss of employment make up a large part (approximately 70%) of those experiencing an eviction crisis. This is because they often cannot find decent housing that they can afford.

In 2019, over 3,000 tenants were evicted through the Milwaukee County Courts. Less than 4% of these tenants had any legal counsel. In contrast, 22% of landlords have some form of legal assistance.

The problem with this is that Wisconsin has a law that says tenants have the right to free legal representation if they want it. In 2019, over 3,000 tenants were evicted through the Milwaukee County Courts. Less than 4% of these tenants had any legal counsel. In contrast, 22% of landlords have some form of legal assistance.

This means that it’s more likely for you as a tenant in Milwaukee County to be evicted without your day in court because you didn't have an attorney or couldn't afford one than if you were a landlord who could afford one!

The main barrier preventing tenants from finding good legal representation is cost. Many tenants can’t afford the fees associated with hiring a lawyer and believe they have to proceed on their own.

Legal help is available at little or no cost for individuals who are facing eviction or have other housing issues. Take advantage of these resources to ensure the best possible outcome when facing housing-related challenges.

Before you go to court, consider getting legal advice from an attorney. Your local bar association may be able to provide referrals and advice about getting affordable legal representation if you cannot afford to hire an attorney yourself.

Know your rights and know your options so that you can make informed decisions about how best to proceed in your case. If you need help understanding what's happening in the courts and what's involved in a particular type of proceeding, reach out for assistance from an experienced lawyer who can guide you through the process and answer any questions that come up along the way!

Learn about your options and get legal advice before you go to court!

If you are facing eviction or other housing challenges, contact us at EvictionFree MKE. It’s important for tenants to know their rights and understand how the legal system works. It may seem scary at first, but by knowing what steps you need to take before going into court, you can increase your chances of success!