By Dawn Anastasi, RPA Board Member

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee has been holding monthly virtual meetings always on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 10 am-11 am CDT.

Rent Increase Forms

One reminder in the session email is that starting March 1, 2024, they no longer mail out rent increase forms. You can obtain a rent increase form on their website. They are counting on you to be proactive and to monitor your HACM tenant lease ending dates so you know when future rent increase forms are due. Return completed rent increase forms to section8leasing@hacm.org no less than 90 days prior to the lease end date.

The Housing Authority Process

A reminder on the call that there are only so many Housing Vouchers. People need to apply, then get selected from a waiting list. Applicants need to prove that they are income eligible. HACM's waiting list has been open since December 2021. There are about 15,000 people on the waiting list.

Once someone is selected, they go through a background check, an income eligibility check, and a assets check. Once someone passes these checks, the applicant is issued a Housing Voucher which is valid for 120 days. The tenant can then look for housing. The applicant can pay no more than 30% of their income on housing, including utilities. HACM will pay the rest.

Once a tenant applies for a rental unit, HACM does a rent reasonableness check, and does an inspection on the unit to ensure it is safe and functional.

Today's Session

Today's session was the sixth such virtual session and focused on an open forum for questions from Housing Providers. Here are some of the questions asked:

Q: When can we see housing contracts on the HACM portal?

A: We are working with the software company at this time. We hope to have it available in the next 6 weeks.

Q: I have a S8 tenant in a duplex unit. The other unit in the building is becoming available shortly and the S8 tenant wants to move to the other unit. Can I allow that? Do we end the current lease and start a new one and redo the entire process?

A: Yes, both tenant and landlord need to sign a mutual lease/HAP termination form. The new unit would need to be inspected before the transfer.

Q: I have tenants that can't complete recertification online. Many of my tenants don't have computers or printers. Can they still receive the paper recert packet?

A: No. It is required to be completed online. We will be having open computer labs on Wednesdays from 10 am - 12 pm and 2-4 pm going forward.

Q: Is there a way that Housing Providers can get an email reminder for renewal dates from the HACM portal?

A: HACM is looking for an answer on this from the software provider. Email reminders are not currently available. Housing Providers need to go to "Unit Info" on the HACM portal and check the "Re-exam Date". Subtract 3 months from that date and that is the date to get the rent increase forms into HACM by.

Q: How many inspectors does HACM currently have?

A: Currently HACM has 3 inspectors and they are looking to hire 1 more.

Q: How far in advance are inspections scheduled?

A: Typically 2-3 months prior to the lease recertification date.

Q: Is the Housing Portal available in languages other than English for tenants who do not speak/read/write English well?

A: The portal allows them to select the language. If they need assistance it is being provided on Wednesdays at 5003 W. Lisbon.

Q: How do we as landlords rebuttal if we do not agree with the proposed rent by Housing?

A: The lease and contract specialist will work with you to come up with a reasonable rent for the unit.