WIFrontDoor Services - Please visit the WIFrontDoor Services website for a searchable database that provides detailed information about each participating provider, volunteer needs, wishlists, maps, and more. The community guide helps to match your need to agencies that can provide for you throughout the state of Wisconsin. This Community Services Guide is brought to you by the WI Department of Commerce, Division of Housing and Community Development.

- The following links will take you to PDF documents containing information useful to tenants, landlords, and others interested in affordable and general housing topics.

General Information for Tenants

General Information for Landlords

Glossary : Some common rental and real estate terms.

Wisconsin Department of Commerce - Division of Housing and Community Development Tel: (608) 266-1018

The Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) helps expand local affordable housing and supports services to people without housing. The fifteen federal and state programs, managed by the Bureau, aid elderly persons, people with disabilities, low and moderate income residents and the homeless population. The DHCD works closely with local governments and non-profit housing organizations to deliver financial and technical housing assistance and to strengthen the capabilities of housing organizations.

The Division of Housing and Community Development administers the WIFrontDoor Housing website.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) - We offer innovative products for affordable housing and economic development, and provide the tools and services to help people and communities realize their hopes and dreams.

United States Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will embrace high standards of ethics, management and accountability and forge new partnerships--particularly with faith-based and community organizations--that leverage resources and improve HUD's ability to be effective on the community level. In pursuit of this mission, HUD has partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce-Bureau of Housing and this WIFrontDoor program.

Other HUD resources and publications:

Homes and Communities I Renting Overview I Fair Housing Act I Tenant Information I Landlord Information I Information for Veterans I Information for Senior Citizens I People with Disabilities Housing Agencies/Tribes

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCAP) - (800) 422-7128

DATCAP Resources: useful publications for renters and landlords

“The Wisconsin Way: A Guide for Landlords and Tenants” (PDF):

"The Wisconsin Way” order form (PDF):

Tenants Rights & Responsibilities

Don’t Rent Trouble

Tenant’s Rights

Self-service Storage

Other Wisconsin Links:

Environmental Health Resources : Hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services

Wisconsin Equal Rights Division : To protect the rights of all people in Wisconsin under the civil rights and labor standards laws we administer; to achieve compliance through education, outreach, and enforcement by empowered and committed employees; and to perform our responsibilities with reasonableness, efficiency, and fairness.

UW Extension Housing Site : This housing site is designed primarily to provide home ownership and renting information through its various educational and outreach programs and publications.

Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy : Focus on Energy is a public-private partnership offering energy information and services to energy utility customers throughout Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) : The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) administers the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Public Benefits Energy Assistance Program.

United States Department of Agriculture - USDA Housing Assistance works with public and non-profit organizations to provide housing developers with loans and grants to construct and renovate rural multi-family housing complexes. USDA improves community economic health by working with private lenders to guarantee loans to borrowers for the construction of rural multi-family housing.

For a list of Wisconsin Housing Authorities -

Other Resources for Renters and Agencies

HomeWords : A resource for those working with homeless families and children.

National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO : The leading housing and community development advocate for the provision of adequate and affordable housing and strong, viable communities for all Americans—particularly those with low- and moderate-incomes. Members administer HUD programs such as Public Housing, Section 8, CDBG and HOME.

National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) : NFHA works to eliminate housing discrimination and to ensure equal housing opportunity for all people through leadership, education and outreach, membership services, public policy initiatives, advocacy and enforcement.

National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) : The NLIHC is dedicated solely to ending America’s affordable housing crisis.

NLIHC’s “Out of Reach” : "Out of Reach" provides a side-by-side comparison of wages and rents in every state, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), and county in the United States.

Tenant Resource Center (TRC) : The TRC provides housing counseling, mediation services, and office assistance for tenants and landlords.

Wisconsin Association of Housing Authorities (WAHA) : WAHA's purpose is "To foster and promote low-rent public housing and other housing programs for low and moderate income families, including elderly and handicapped, which provide a physical and social environment for the benefit of both the family and the community."

Wisconsin Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs (LIHEAP) Clearhinghouse : The Wisconsin LIHEAP Clearinghouse collects, develops, organizes and disseminates information on low-income energy issues.

Apartment Association of South Central Wisconsin AASCW - AASWC provides its members with the information and services needed to manage their rental properties in a professional manner. Recognizing the vital role our members play in meeting the housing needs within our communities, our members have committed to supplying and maintaining multiple dwellings which will provide residents with health and life safety, with the human values of pride, dignity and security. The association provides education,forms,marketing and legislative support to property owners, managers and tenants.

Apartment Association of South Eastern Wisconsin AASEW - The Apartment Association of Southeastern Wisconsin was originally named Income Property Owners Association and was founded in 1972 by three small property owners. Our mission is to provide owners with the business, educational, and legislative support necessary to prosper in today's rental housing market.

Wisconsin Apartment Association - The Wisconsin Apartment Association has united for the purpose of advancing the general welfare of the multi-family rental housing industry in the State of Wisconsin and in recognition of the vital role of its members in responsibly meeting the rental housing needs of our State..

Also; RHR,Inc, Rental Housing Resources is the non-profit (501c3) education foundation of the Wisconsin Apartment Association. Our mission is to provide accurate information and best rental practices to the rental housing community in Wisconsin through our curriculum of classes, conferences, and workshops. RHR offers forms (hard copy and on CD) for sale.RHR encourages the ownership and owner occupied rental housing through the Neighbor Owned Affordable Housing Program (NOAH). In the Janesville-Beloit area and in the Fox Valley. RHR sponsors the "Win Win" program so tenants and landlords can benefit from housing counseling that results in "winning" tenancies. RHR also works with partner agencies to provide specific education regarding lead-based paint(Lead Safe Work Practices Training), fair housing, and energy efficient, healthy housing.

Madison Landlord Council - The Madison Landlord Council is the network for landlords in the Madison area. Monthly meetings are free and open to all landlords. (2nd Wednesday of every month) so that they can learn about landlord and tenant issues, and best practices in rental housing. Members of the Madison Landlord Council have access to educational programming, rental industry forms(specific to Madison), a monthly newsletter, access to credit checks, and the annual trade show. The Madison Landlord Council is an affiliate of the Wisconsin Apartment Association.

Other Resources for Landlords:

National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) : NAHMA is the leading voice for affordable housing, advocating on behalf of multifamily property owners and managers whose mission is to provide quality affordable housing.

Southern Wisconsin Landlords Association (SWLA) : SWLA's purpose is to assist members with investing, managing and maintaining their real estate investments in a professional and profitable manner through education, political action and networking.

Wisconsin Realtors Association : The primary purpose of the WRA is to further the quality of the real estate industry in Wisconsin by promoting the competent practice and professionalism of realtors.

Wisconsin Rental Coalition : To provide rental property owners with the business, educational, and legislative support necessary to prosper in today's rental housing market.

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Access to Independence : The mission of Access to Independence is to join with people with disabilities to create access to the community through education, action, and choice.

AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin : The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin is among the largest and most comprehensive AIDS service agencies in the country.

City of Madison Equal Opportunities Commission : The EOC is the primary City agency that has the responsibility for the remedy of discrimination complaints brought by individuals.

Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) : CWAG is a grassroots membership organization directed by older people that pursues justice and quality of life for people of all ages through legal and legislative advocacy, education and leadership development.

Independence First : Independence First is your resource on accessibility and issues related to living independently in our community for persons with disabilities--primarily serving the four county Metropolitan Milwaukee Area.

Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council : The purpose of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council is to promote fair housing throughout the State of Wisconsin by guaranteeing all people equal access to housing opportunities and by creating and maintaining racially and economically integrated housing patterns.

Movin' Out, Inc : Access to homeownership for people with disabilities and their families.

Options for Independent Living : Options for Independent Living is committed to empowering people with disabilities to lead independent and productive lives in their community through advocacy, the provision of information, education, technology and related services.

Tenant Resource Center (TRC) : The TRC provides housing counseling, mediation services, and office assistance for tenants and landlords.

United Refugee Services of Wisconsin (URSW) : URSW provides support services to Asians, refugees, asylees, and their descendents, living primarily in Dane and Rock Counties.

Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) : The Association serves its members and Wisconsin's low-income people--as an information clearinghouse, a policy review and advocacy forum, a public information network, a training facilitator, and an administrative agency.

Wisconsin Equal Rights Division : To protect the rights of all people in Wisconsin under the civil rights and labor standards laws we administer; to achieve compliance through education, outreach, and enforcement by empowered and committed employees; and to perform our responsibilities with reasonableness, efficiency, and fairness.

Wisconsin State Independent Living Council : The purpose of the Council is to promote a philosophy of independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy.

WI Federally Assisted Rental Housing and Housing Authorities Directory - The purpose of this directory, prepared through a cooperative effort of the WI Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the WI Department of Commerce (Commerce) is to provide information to aid in the development of low-income housing in the state. The directory is a catalog of the location, management agency/contact person, number of units, and type of subsidized rental units in the state. This directory is updated every 6 months. The current copy was prepared March 18, 2008.

WI Affordable Rental Housing Directory - This directory is updated once a month. At the time this directory was created, the property was listed as being available either now (immediately) or at least within the next 60 days. The current copy of this directory was created on March 18, 2008. The directory has been prepared through a cooperative effort by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Economic Development (HUD), and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (Commerce), as part of their continuing commitment to provide information to aid in making affordable housing information available to consumers around the state. The purpose of this directory is to catalog the location, management agency/contact person, and type of affordable apartment units that are currently listed as available in the State of Wisconsin.