Homeless Unit

Homeless Assistance / Prevention

CONTACT
Jacob Johnson
Homeless Prevention Unit Co-Supervisor
jacob@cwcac.org
(608) 254-8353 ext. 247

Ashley Torres
Homeless Prevention Unit Co Supervisor
ashley@cwcac.org
(608) 254-8353 ext 241

ADAMS COUNTY
Jacob Johnson
jacob@cwcac.org
(608) 254-8353 ext. 247
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance.

COLUMBIA COUNTY
Christina
christina@cwcac.org
(608) 742-3320
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance, motel vouchers.

DODGE COUNTY
Corinna Jimenez
Homeless Prevention Case Manager
corinna@cwcac.org
(920) 885-9559
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance.

Angel Smith
Homeless Prevention Case Manager
angel@cwcac.org
(920) 885-9559
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance.

JUNEAU COUNTY
Ashley Torres
Homeless Prevention Unit Co-Supervisor
ashley@cwcac.org
(608) 847-1124
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance.

Mandy Acker
Homeless prevention Case Manager
mandy@cwcac.org
(608) 432-6031
Wed-Thur 9am-3pm

SAUK COUNTY
Kati Fry
kati@cwcac.org
(608) 355-4807
One-time rent assistance, eviction prevention assistance, and motel vouchers.

Central Wisconsin Community Action Council, Inc. (CWCAC) serves residents of Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Juneau, and Sauk Counties. As a member of the Central Coalition to End Homelessness, we are committed to preventing and addressing homelessness throughout our service area.

Our Homeless Prevention Unit provides:

• Rental assistance
• Youth programming
• Shelter services
• Crisis assistance (available in select counties)

Rental Assistance Process
Households seeking rental assistance must complete an intake and assessment through a No-Wrong Door agency. This can be done by phone or in person. Current participating agencies include:

• CWCAC
• Renewal Unlimited
• Hope House of South-Central WI
• PAVE

After completing the assessment, eligible households are placed on a prioritization list. This is a living list which means it is always changing and there is no guarantee you will receive services. When a service provider has an opening, the household is the top priority, and they would be invited to apply for a rental program.

Crisis Assistance

This program provides one-time assistance to households-generally rent. This program combines different funding sources including Emergency Food & Shelter Program, National Exchange Bank, Salvation Army, and United Way. Client applications are reviewed and approved based on several criteria, including funding availability, the ability to positively resolve the crisis, and other factors.

Emergency Food & Shelter

This program is a restricted federal grant. Program expenditures are limited to food, meals, shelter (motel/hotel vouchers), and rent assistance. EFSP is governed by a National Board that selects jurisdictions for funding and based on the latest census and unemployment figures determines the amount of funding and based on the Local Boards are then convened to determine the highest need and best use of those funds to select Local Recipient Organizations to provide emergency food and shelter services. Each year, needs are reassessed to adapt to community needs. We receive EFSP funds in two of the five counties (Juneau & Dodge). The criteria we use is that we will provide rental assistance to individuals or families with a five-day eviction notice and verification

Rapid Rehousing

To be eligible for CWCAC’s Rapid Re-Housing Program, individuals must be listed on the local Homeless Prioritization List. When program openings become available, eligible individuals are contacted. Those who are currently experiencing homelessness or are in a Domestic Violence situation may be offered enrollment.

CWCAC supports participants in securing safe and stable housing. While staff provide guidance and resources—including access to landlord lists and referrals to various platforms.  Participants are also encouraged to actively search for housing opportunities.

The program aids with a security deposit and up to 12 months of rental support. Participants contribute 30% of their household income toward rent and utilities. Throughout the program, a dedicated case manager works closely with each household to identify barriers to housing stability and develop a plan to address them.

Sauk County Rapid Rehousing
This program provides housing assistance and supportive services to families in Sauk County who are at imminent risk of homelessness or currently experiencing homelessness. Households with sufficient income to sustain rent after initial assistance are rapidly re-housed and supported through comprehensive case management and coordinated community services to promote long-term stability. Funding for this program is provided by Sauk County.

Dodge County Rapid Rehousing
This program offers the same housing assistance and supportive services as the Sauk County Rapid Rehousing program; however, eligibility is not limited to families.

TBRA (Tenant Based Rental Assistance)

CWCAC TBRA program is available to clients who score lower on the homeless prioritization list and are:

• Clients that don’t get called for the Rapid Rehousing program and are still homeless.
• Clients who are facing eviction and rent is at or below FMR rent rates.
• Clients who are at risk of homelessness, living with friends or family and have to be out within 14 days, or staying in a motel and can no longer afford it on own.

Housing must meet WHEDA Payment Standards and client must be 60% CMI or lower. We can assist with Security Deposit and up to 12 months rental assistance. With annual renewals being completed. Clients pay 30% of their income towards utilities, rent and work with a case manager.

HOME-ARP Supportive Services Program

The HOME-ARP program provides a broad range of supportive services to eligible qualifying populations. CWCAC is committed to serving individuals and families who meet Qualifying Population 2 (QP2) criteria:

• Individuals and families who are at risk of homelessness and whose income is at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI).
• Those who may currently be staying with friends or family, or residing in a motel, but are unable to maintain housing independently.

After prioritizing QP2 households identified as At Risk of Homelessness (ADD), CWCAC may serve other eligible qualifying populations as permitted under program guidelines.

Participants will be selected and prioritized through the Extended Coordinated Entry list to ensure services reach those with the greatest need.

Program Services
Eligible households enrolled in HOME-ARP Supportive Services may receive:

• Short-term or long-term rental assistance
• Utility assistance
• Assistance provided for a period of 3 to 24 months, as appropriate

In addition, participants will receive comprehensive case management services designed to help them navigate mainstream community resources and build long-term housing stability.

CWCAC targets up to 14 Heads of Household through the HOME-ARP program.

Rental Contribution Structure
To promote stability and gradual self-sufficiency:

• Participants will initially contribute 0% of their gross income toward rent.
• Contributions will increase quarterly, up to a maximum of 30% of gross income.

Throughout the program, Case Managers will work closely with participants to support financial independence, housing retention, and long-term self-sufficiency.

Youth Homeless Demonstration Program (YHDP)

CWCAC administers the Youth Homeless Demonstration Program (YHDP) for individuals ages 17½ to 24. The program includes System Navigation services for youth experiencing homelessness, as well as the Next-Door Rapid Re-Housing Program.

Next-Door Rapid Re-Housing Program

Eligibility
To qualify, individuals must:

• Be between the ages of 17½ and 24
• Be placed on the community homeless prioritization list
• Be experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence at the time of program opening

Applicants are contacted in order of priority as openings become available.

What the Program Provides

• Security deposit assistance
• Up to 12 months of rental assistance
• Possible financial assistance for up to 36 months, depending on eligibility
• Ongoing case management and housing stability support

Participant Responsibilities

• Contribute 30% of income toward rent and utilities
• Actively search for housing
• Work collaboratively with a Case Manager to address barriers to stability

Staff provide landlord lists and referrals to various platforms.

System Navigation Program

Youth ages 17½ to 24 may also enroll in the System Navigation Program, based on availability and referral.
Referrals may come from:

• Youth contacting the program directly
• School districts
• Human services agencies
• Hospitals
• Other community partners

Participants are selected from the prioritization list as openings occur.

Youth Advisory Board (YAB)

CWCAC facilitates a Youth Advisory Board comprised of young people with lived experience of homelessness. The YAB:

• Meets monthly
• Discusses youth homelessness issues
• Provides input on program development and improvement
• Participates in engagement opportunities both in person and virtually

United Way / United Fund

We receive funds from United Way of Dodge County, Baraboo United Fund, Wisconsin Dells Area United Fund and United Way of South Wood & Adams County (for Adams County). We use these funds for rent assistance for families or individuals. If rent assistance, there must be verification of employment and the landlord must agree they will not evict the household for the next 30 days.