A 32-page report was jointly released from the Urban Institute and the Bipartisan Policy Center a few days ago. In the summary, the Urban Institute writes:
We conclude that the current inspection regime that demands every single HCV unit be inspected in person before a lease can be executed and payments begin flowing is akin to using a bazooka to kill a gnat, as just 4 out of every 100 very low–income central city renters and fewer than 2 out of every 100 very low–income suburban renters live in severely inadequate units.
Although a strong argument can be made that inspections are an anachronism, we provide a fuller set of policy options short of doing away with inspections entirely as ways to streamline operations, expand landlord participation, and promote greater voucher use, particularly in high-opportunity communities.
Download the full PDF here
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors is moving to fund an incentive program aimed at helping more tenants receiving rental assistance get into housing.
The program, if approved by the board, would create a fund to pay for any damages caused by renters using section 8 vouchers, which guarantee recipients do not have to spend more than 30-40% of their income on rent.
Read the Full Article Here
Update on 3/22/24:
Sup. Shawn Rolland authored the resolution to create the program, which will set aside $356,000 for the fund.
The board voted 13-4, with supervisors Ryan Clancy, Felesia Martin, Juan Miguel Martinez and Steve Taylor voting against the resolution.
Freshwater For Life Action Coalition: Calls for independent investigation of SDC Weatherization Program
FLAC and Get The Lead Out Coalition (GTLO) provided a witness and evidence to city leaders of incomplete and shabby lead abatement work two months ago at a meeting in City Hall that was done by contractor hired by SDC.
“This matter is serious and requires a thorough review of an independent audit to determine the harm done to Milwaukee families throughout the city who had lead abatement work done by contractors hired by SDC”, continued Miranda.
Read Full Article Here
Milwaukee wants 1 million people and more housing. Zoning code changes are a first step
Milwaukee might soon change its zoning code to encourage development of small apartment buildings and apartments in commercial areas − growing the city's affordable housing supply.
"We want to use this process to remove the zoning barriers," said Sam Leichtling, Milwaukee's planning manager.
The idea is to promote more housing − but not high-rises, or even mid-rise buildings, in neighborhoods largely characterized by single-family homes, Leichtling said.
Other forms of housing could include tiny homes, such as Veterans Community Project Inc.'s development planned at 6767 N. 60th St., and accessory dwelling units. The latter refers to a house or apartment that shares the building lot of a larger, primary home.
Another change would encourage more apartments by eliminating floor area ratios − which typically limit a building's floor area in relation to the size of its lot.
More housing means increased property tax revenue for the city, Milwaukee Public Schools and other local governments, and additional customers for nearby stores, restaurants and other businesses.
Third Ward apartment development raises $27 million from investors
The Evoni development with 261 apartments under construction in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward recently secured $27 million from investors.
The apartments are under construction on what had long been a vacant site northwest of North Lincoln Memorial Drive and East Summerfest Place. They are to begin leasing at the start of 2025, according to a press release.
Evoni broke ground in March 2023 using money from a construction loan and corporate funding provided by its developers.
By Heiner Giese, RPA Attorney
Tell your tenants that the $250 Million MPS referendum on the April 2 ballot for City of Milwaukee residents will result in monthly rent increases.
See this article from Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service:
OPINION: Milwaukee’s students cannot afford for MPS to (just) maintain and sustain: We need a plan
Maintaining the status quo in Milwaukee means remaining in an academic crisis. Last year, nine in 10 MPS students did not meet grade-level expectations in math and reading. MPS’ scores on the Nation’s Report Card are lower than peer districts, in some cases by two full grade levels.
https://mkepropertyownership.com/
A key takeaway is that most LLC's (72%) are mom and pops -- giving the lie to the story that "big corporate" interests have gobbled up a lot of properties.
Their statistic on "Date Purchased" must be wrong for any properties purchased before 1995 - when LLCs were first allowed - because they show 1995 as the earliest dates (have to check this some more).
Every owner should check out this new website to see how their property ownership is linked amongst LLCs owned.
The website also tracks building code violations and evictions filed.
The Milwaukee REIA is having a guest speaker in March from Equity Trust.
Topic: Tax-Free Account Focused Investing with John Bowens
When: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: Sonesta Milwaukee West, 10499 W Innovation Dr, Wauwatosa, WI 53226
John will cover:
Never been to a REIA meeting before? First Time Guests can attend their first meeting for Free with a complimentary Guest Pass.
Register Here
Vote YES on H.R. 803
On February 7, 2024, Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) introduced S. 3755, the Respect State Housing Laws Act, in the U.S. Senate. The legislation would end the CARES Act’s federal notice to vacate requirement for federally-backed and federally-assisted housing, a temporary pandemic measure left in place due to a drafting error.
Companion legislation, H.R.802, was reintroduced in the U.S. House by Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.-11) last year.
The temporary federal 30-day “notice-to-vacate” requirement was established as part of the CARES Act at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains a contested issue in courts today, long after the moratorium and the federal COVID-19 public health emergency have ended.
This notice requirement adds complexity and confusion to the eviction process established by states and further delays the start of the eviction process for housing providers who have been waiting to have their cases heard in court while rent remains unpaid. H.R. 802 would repeal this notice requirement.
We are in favor of this federal legislation to end the 30 day notice requirement for any property which received federal assistance.
A repeal would actually help tenants because it would make owners more willing to accept Section 8 vouchers.
Urge your member of Congress who sits on the House Financial Services Committee to vote yes on H.R. 802, the “Respect State Housing Laws Act,” when it is marked up by the Committee on Thursday, February 29.
By Dawn Anastasi, RPA Board Member
If you accept Rent Assistance from the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM), you may have received the incorrect tax form for 2023.
HACM sent our 1099-NEC forms (non-employee compensation) instead of the correct 1099-MISC forms to rental property owners.
They are in the process of re-running and mailing out the correct 1099-MISC forms, so watch your mail for the corrected forms.
Also note: The 2023 1099 tax forms the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) recently mailed through the U.S. Postal Service do not show the full Employer Identification Number (EIN) for HACM. Please note, the full EIN for HACM is 39-1159751.
The Fair Housing Center of Greater Madison is offering a free in-person fair housing training seminar for owners and managers of rental properties, or staff operating shelters or residential programs.
The seminar will include information about the protected classes and prohibited practices delineated by local, state, and federal fair housing laws, as well as reasonable accommodations and modifications for tenants with disabilities.
This material presented during the seminar is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Recording of the seminar is not permitted.
To register for this seminar, CLICK HERE.
By John Triplett, Rental Housing Journal
Fraud impacting rental housing costs throughout the country is on the rise and includes incidences of fraudulent rental applications, financial and identity fraud, and is often fueled by social media, the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) says in a new survey.
“Driven in part by social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, the rise in false rental housing applications is exacerbating rental costs, fueling the housing affordability challenges facing communities across the country and undermining the credibility of eviction data.
These fraudulent incidents consist of a wide range of wrongdoing, including criminal behavior,” the NMHC says in a release about the survey.
Link to Full Article Here
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