Tenant Resource Center Further Reduces Services

Yeah, bad time to be a tenant in need! SB107 has reduced tenants’ rights and will go into effect in a week or two, TRC is reducing services because federal, state and county funding reductions. Yeah, it all rolls down hill! Which makes us all the more thankful for the wonderful community who really helped us out during our fundraiser! The best since 2008! THANK YOU!!!! If you want to donate, you can do it here.

Tenant Resource Center Further Reduces Services

Starting Thursday, December 1st, the Housing Help Desk located in Room 2 at the Dane County Job Center (1819 Aberg Ave) will reduce its hours of operation from 8am – 4:30pm (Monday – Friday) to 10am – 2pm (Monday – Friday). This cut in services is necessary because of a reduction in funding from the county government.

The Tenant Resource Center, which employs only two full-time paid staff, is already operating on a tight budget. County funding has been cut or stayed flat for the past decade, and this has forced the TRC to scale back important services. “Three-quarters of the way through the year we had spent all of our funds from the county” says Brenda Konkel, Executive Director. “In 1998 we got $98,000 from the county. Next year, we will get $90,000. During the same period, the county has grown and the economy has gotten worse. That means we have more people to serve and less funding to provide them with the services they need.”

The Housing Help Desk provides lists of housing vacancies and affordable housing options, assists people facing eviction through the Housing Crisis Fund, knowledgeable advice on housing and community programs, and assistance with common tenant-landlord issues, such as security deposits, heating, repairs, and eviction prevention. “The sad reality is that most of the programs have long waiting lists and strict requirements that make it hard for people to qualify,” said Konkel. “We talk to people everyday who are at risk of homelessness. It’s heartbreaking to provide these people with information when we know the help they need isn’t available.”

Tenant Resource Center will continue to provide some services despite these financial difficulties. Housing counseling is available at the Williamson St. Office (Mon – Fri 9 – 6) and Campus office (hours vary, see website), thanks to volunteers, work study, 2 part-time employees and employees from the W-2 and DVR programs. Mediation services will also continue at Small Claims Court on Tuesdays. The toll free number will be answered after Madison and Dane County calls are returned if we have the volunteers to do it.

“It’s an awful time to reduce services, but we have no other options,” said Konkel. “Funding just hasn’t kept up with the needs in the community and we’ve cut and reduced everywhere else and been innovative but there just isn’t anything else left at this point.”