We’re pleased to report that Community Advocates staff members helped 64,401 people in 2024, which includes 52,599 households in the Milwaukee area. This represents a significant portion of our community—roughly equal to 14% of Milwaukee County residents or the entire population of West Allis. But of course, these aren’t just numbers. They represent 64,401 people who had the resilience to ask for help with their basic needs, household resources, behavioral health, domestic violence experiences, and more.

While our complete 2024 Community Impact Report will be released shortly, here are some details on how Community Advocates served our community last year:

• 12,417 individuals sought services and resources at Community Advocates’ Lovell Street offices’ front desk. 
• 26,186 households received financial support and help making payment plans to maintain their utilities.
• 860 callers received telephone crisis intervention services through Milwaukee Women’s Center’s crisis line (414-671-6140).
• 5,917 landlords and tenants received support resolving issues related to rental housing
• 6,659 residents accessed resources through the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center to prevent or divert eviction.
• 85 individuals with disabling conditions received protective payee and financial management services.
• 35 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and mental illness received stable shelter and supportive services through the Autumn West Safe Haven
• 1,882 individuals obtained employment through the FoodShare and Employment Training Program (FSET)
• 2,400 drug deactivation pouches and medication lock boxes were provided to Southeast Wisconsin organizations to prevent overdoses.

For 45 years, the Milwaukee Women’s Center (MWC) has been a place of refuge, hope, and transformation for survivors of domestic violence and families facing homelessness. Each day, our team provides round-the-clock, life-changing services to individuals who often have nowhere else to turn. At the heart of our mission is our Emergency Shelter, which operates 24/7, offering up to 75 beds nightly and providing immediate support alongside comprehensive programming to help families move toward safety and independence. 

As we reach this milestone anniversary in 2025, we remain deeply committed to our mission—strengthening our services, revitalizing our shelter, and continuing to meet the evolving needs of our community. 

To honor this legacy, we are hosting a celebration of the staff and survivors who have changes so many lives during these 45 years, and look ahead to how we can create a safer, healthier community. Please join us at Direct Supply Innovation and Technology Center in Downtown Milwaukee on July 10 as we celebrate this milestone.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Deb Heffner, Strategic Partnership Director, at Dheffner@communityadvocates.net.

You can order individual tickets and check out sponsorship opportunities by clicking the button below.

Community Advocates is fortunate to have Natasha Dotson on our Board of Directors, now serving as Vice President. Natasha’s focus as Vice President is to raise the visibility of the work and programs offered by Community Advocates. Natasha is dedicated to attracting more people who want to help the mission that Community Advocates is founded on: providing people with advocacy and services to meet their basic needs so they may live in dignity.

"If I won the lottery, I'd still be doing this work," Natasha says in reference to everything she does to help the community not just survive, but thrive.

In 2024, the state Department of Justice and Berrada Properties Management and its owner, Joseph Berrada, negotiated a settlement for alleged legal violations that included programs and services specifically for Berrada tenants to be delivered by Community Advocates.

In March, we began helping current Berrada tenants with payment plans, short-term rental assistance, and move-out agreements. Berrada tenants can visit the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center located within our downtown Milwaukee offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. 

The Milwaukee Coalition on Housing and Homelessness will host a series of public listening sessions focused on how public and private partners engage across the continuum of services for people experiencing unstable housing or homelessness. The coalition is seeking broad participation to provide a comprehensive view of formal and informal service providers in our community. The listening sessions include:

• April 3, 12 noon to 2 p.m., health systems and emergency services, MPL Washington Park Finney Community Room, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Milwaukee
• April 3, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., justice system, MPL Washington Park Finney Community Room, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Milwaukee
• April 7, 12 noon to 2 p.m., DHHS and DCFS, MPL East Branch Community Room, 2320 N. Cramer St., Milwaukee
• April 7, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., higher education systems, MPL East Branch Community Room, 2320 N. Cramer St., Milwaukee
• April 9, 12 noon to 2 pm, veterans organizations, MPL Atkinson Branch Community Room, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave., Milwaukee
• April 9, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., individuals with lived experience, MPL Atkinson Branch Community Room, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave., Milwaukee

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

Our programs include:

• City of Milwaukee Rental Assistance: Housing Stability Program (HSP): The HSP is a resource for eligible Milwaukee residents at risk of housing instability due to a temporary financial hardship. HSP offers up to 3 months of back rent (arrears); up to 1 month of future rent; and relocation funds (if applicable). Click here for more information on eligibility criteria and how to apply if the criteria are met.

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

• 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 in person, go to RentHelpMKE.org, or call 414-895-RENT (7368) for more information.

Thanks to all who attended the Milwaukee launch of Professor Bernadette Atuahene's new book, Plundered: How Racist Policies Undermine Black Homeownership in America.

We were honored to co-sponsor the event at Boswell Book Company with Atuahene in conversation with beloved local historian Reggie Jackson. Plundered is a richly told deep dive into Detroit's property tax system, which unfairly penalizes those who can least afford it through property tax foreclosure. This tax system can be found around the country, including in Milwaukee.

Help for Homeowners with Property Tax Debt

Community Advocates’ Milwaukee Property Tax Appeals Project draws on Atuahene's scholarship and leadership, to the benefit of many struggling Milwaukee homeowners. Since August 2023, the project has helped homeowners resolve over $124,000 in tax debt and prevent foreclosures. The project not only provides direct assistance, but also offers wraparound services and advocacy opportunities.

If you are a City of Milwaukee homeowner who owns and lives in your home and you are behind on your property taxes from 2022, 2021, or 2020, you may be eligible for relief! Community Advocates can help eligible homeowners apply for assistance for up to $3,000 of your property tax debt. Contact Marissa to learn more at stoptaxforeclosure@communityadvocates.net or 414-517-3071.

If you are having trouble paying your heating bills, don't wait until it's too late to get help. You may be eligible for the Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program.

It's easy to apply! Eligible Milwaukee County residents can schedule a phone appointment or apply online at keepwarmmke.org or you can call 414-270-4653. Community Advocates has limited availability for walk-in clients at our downtown offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. We’re here to help you! The Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program is a State of Wisconsin Home Energy Plus Program. 

The Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee (ECOM) is a monthly gathering of social services professionals, advocates, and consumers organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. ECOM explores topics that are vital to Milwaukee’s human services professionals. Each session features multiple presentations from experts and opportunities to share resources.

The next session will explore W2, FoodShare, FSET, and SSI. It’ll be held on Wednesday, April 16, location TBD.



Other 2025 ECOM sessions will cover mental health, domestic violence, adoption, foster care, prenatal services, parenting support and more.

Sessions are held in person from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Fee is $5 per person, but free for PPI members. Registrations are non-refundable and must be submitted the Friday before each workshop.

Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee has partnered with the Rental Housing Resource Center (located inside of the Community Advocates building, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee) to help individuals currently looking to remove past evictions from their CCAP Search. This free clinic will be held on the second Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is currently open to individuals with dismissed evictions and completed payment plans only. Only open to Milwaukee County. Walk-ins welcome. Appointments preferred. The next clinic will be held on Wednesday, April 9.

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? We invite you to prepare and serve a meal to the 75 guests staying at the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Emergency Shelter on the Near South Side of Milwaukee.

Details:

• Meals should be prepared, purchased, and served by volunteers at 6 p.m. daily.
• We provide a fully equipped commercial kitchen with all the utensils, pots, pans, and dishes, along with a commercial stove/oven. If you prefer, you can bring in fully cooked meals that are ready to serve.
• Volunteers will be required to wear hair nets, gloves, and masks when necessary to ensure the safety of all guests.
• Volunteers must complete an application and pass a background check.

This is a great opportunity for individuals, families, or groups to make a tangible difference in the lives of adults and kids who have survived domestic violence or homelessness.

Interested? Contact Jeri Kavanaugh at jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net to discuss the details and schedule your date to serve.

Together, we can provide comfort, nourishment, and hope to those who need it most. Thank you for your support!

Community Advocates recognizes that people who live with Opioid Use Disorder and are in recovery need to live in a safe and stable home. To make that happen, we are providing Recovery Vouchers for up to six months of supportive housing for individuals and their families. To be eligible, the individual must be age 18 or older and have documentation of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) or receiving treatment to address OUD within the previous 12 months. In addition, the individual must have documentation of homelessness (Category 1, 2, 3, or 4).

To obtain a referral form, email Maudwella Kirkendoll.

The program is funded by the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of Energy (DEHCR), Housing and Community Resources.

Milwaukee tenants and landlords can get help in person without an appointment.

Walk-ins are welcome at the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center, located in Community Advocates' downtown offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. The Triage Team will assess your situation and make referrals so you can get the help you need.

The RHRC is open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To request special accommodations, call 414-895-7368 or email info@renthelpmke.org.

You can also find available rentals in Milwaukee and surrounding areas on our website. We update the listings every week on our website and Facebook page.

You can get in touch with us in the following ways:

• Call: 414-270-2992
• Email: Contact Us
• Facebook: facebook.com/CommunityAdvocatesMilwaukee
• Milwaukee Women’s Center’s 24/7 Crisis Line: 414-671-6140
• Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program: 414-270-4653 or KeepWarmMKE.org
• FSET at Community Advocates: 414-290-7700
• Rent HelpLine: renthelp@communityadvocates.net
• Bottomless Closet: 414-270-2984
• Emergency services after hours or on weekends: 2-1-1