Rental Assistance

affordable apartment housing units

Eviction Prevention

If you are unable to pay your rent on time, you may be at risk for eviction. Be proactive and talk to your landlord if you are not able to pay. Communication is key!

In Wisconsin, only the courts can order that someone be removed from their home. Learn more about eviction rights for tenants in Dane County:

Dane CORE 2.0 Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Dane CORE 2.0 is a partnership between the City of Madison, Dane County, Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, the Tenant Resource Center, Urban Triage, and other community partners. Dane CORE 2.0 is designed to assist households struggling to pay for rent and other housing costs by providing financial assistance, primarily to help pay for rent that is already past-due.

Dane CORE 2.0 can pay for many housing costs for eligible households, such as rent, utilities, and internet - but cannot pay for cable, phone bills, capital expenditures, or homeowner mortgage payments.

In addition to past-due rent, the Dane CORE 2.0 program can also assist with overdue payments for additional housing-related expenses. Eligible households can apply to receive payment for past-due rent, past-due housing utilities, past-due internet services, as well as future security deposits for new rental housing. In some cases, security deposit assistance through this program may also come with a one-time future rent payment to assist households in being more stable in new housing. Future rent payments will now only be made in conjunction with security deposits, if eligible.

CORE 2.0 Program requirements currently allow tenants to apply for assistance with:

  • Past-due rent that you were unable to pay your landlord that has accrued since July 1, 2021.
  • Past due housing utilities (i.e. water, gas, electric) - telephone and cable not included
  • Internet Services (If bundled with telephone and cable a portion of the bill can be covered).
  • You may also qualify for Security Deposit and a one-time Future Rent Payment if you meet one of the following criteria:
    • You have an eviction notice, or are at immediate risk of eviction
    • Your household wages are less than 50% of the Area Median Income
    • You are currently receiving Unemployment Insurance benefit payments
    • You have received a notice of non-renewal from your landlord at your current home

Apply for CORE 

Eligibility for Applications Submitted After October 5th

To be eligible for current funding, all of the following must be true:

  • Someone in your household either:

    • Qualifies for unemployment
    • Experienced a loss in income due to COVID-19
    • Experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19
  • You are at risk of being homeless or experiencing housing instability. You can prove this by showing:
    • A rent payment that is past due
    • A utilities or internet payment that is past due
    • An eviction notice
    • That you don't have enough income to pay a security deposit and have a notice of nonrenewal
  • Your household income is less than 50% Area Median Income (AMI):
    • Household size of 1: $40,400/year
    • Household size of 2: $46,150/year
    • Household size of 3: $51,900/year
    • Household size of 4: $57,650/year
    • Household size of 5: $62,300/year
  • You have a signed lease, and have your name as the primary leaseholder (renter).
  • You live in Dane County.

Dane CORE 2.0 is required by Federal Regulation to prioritize payment of applications for those who are at or below the above 50% Area Median income threshold, and/or are unemployed.

Security Deposits and Future Rent Payments

You may still be eligible for security deposit assistance and potentially a one-time forward rent payment to assist in stabilizing in new housing if any of the following are true:

  • You have an eviction notice, or are at immediate risk of eviction.
  • Your household is less than 50% Area Median Income and you have received a notice of nonrenewal from your landlord.

Get Help Applying

Internet and computer access is available through Madison Public Library.

In-Person Help*

Community partners are available for in-person help to complete your application.

  • Mondays

    • 9am-1pm
      UW South Madison Partnership, 2238 S. Park St., Madison WI 53713
      (Meadowood Health Partnership)
      Call 608-235-1027 to schedule an appointment
    • 11am-6pm
      Hawthorne Library, 2707 E. Washington Ave., Madison WI 53704
      (African Center for Community Development)
      Call 608-957-5623 or 608-514-9321 to schedule an appointment
  • Tuesdays
    • 9am-1pm
      UW South Madison Partnership, 2238 S. Park St., Madison WI 53713
      (Meadowood Health Partnership)
      Call 608-235-1027 to schedule an appointment
    • 2pm-5pm
      Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave., Madison WI 53704
      (African Center for Community Development)
      Call 608-957-5623 or 608-514-9321 to schedule an appointment
  • Wednesdays
    • 10am-1pm
      Meadowridge Library, 5726 Raymond Rd., Madison WI 53711
      (Meadowood Health Partnership)
      Call 608-235-1027 to schedule an appointment
    • 10am-1pm
      FOSTER of Dane County, 700 Rayovac Drive, Suite 200, Madison WI 53711
      (FOSTER of Dane County)
      Call 608-284-8716 to schedule an appointment
    • 10am-3pm
      Neighborhood House Community Center, 29 S Mills St., Madison WI 53715
      (African Center for Community Development)
      Call 608-957-5623 or 608-514-9321 to schedule an appointment
    • 12pm-3pm
      Vera Court Neighborhood Center, 614 Vera Ct., Madison WI 53704
      (African Center for Community Development)
      Call 608-957-5623 or 608-514-9321 to schedule an appointment
    • 1pm-4pm
      Community Action Coalition, 4101 E. Towne Blvd., Madison WI 53704
      (City of Madison)
      Call 608-266-6356 to schedule an appointment
  • Thursdays
    • By Appointment Only
      East Madison Community Center, 8 Straubel Ct., Madison WI 53704
      (African Center for Community Development)
      Call 608-957-5623 or 608-514-9321 to schedule an appointment
    • 9am-1pm
      UW South Madison Partnership, 2238 S. Park St., Madison WI 53713
      (Meadowood Health Partnership)
      Call 608-235-1027 to schedule an appointment
    • 9am-3pm
      Community Action Coalition, 4101 E. Towne Blvd., Madison WI 53704
      (City of Madison)
      Call 608-266-6356 to schedule an appointment
    • 11am-3pm
      Pinney Library, 516 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison WI 53716
      (African Center for Community Development)
      Call 608-957-5623 or 608-514-9321 to schedule an appointment
  • Fridays
    • 9am-1pm
      Meadowridge Library, 5726 Raymond Rd., Madison WI 53711
      (Meadowood Health Partnership)
      Call 608-235-1027 to schedule an appointment
    • 11am-2pm
      The Salvation Army of Dane County, 3030 Darbo Dr., Madison WI 53714
      (African Center for Community Development)
      Call 608-957-5623 or 608-514-9321 to schedule an appointment
    • 12pm-5pm
      Neighborhood House Community Center, 29 S Mills St., Madison WI 53715
      (African Center for Community Development)
      Call 608-957-5623 or 608-514-9321 to schedule an appointment

For questions about pending applications, contact 608-299-4128 or email csc@cacscw.org.
*Printable version of the assistance schedule.

Other Resources for Renters

  • Tenant Resource Center
    Phone: (608) 257-0006
    For questions about your rights as a renter, how to negotiate with your landlord, and rental resources.
  • Legal Action of Wisconsin
    Phone: (608) 256-3304
    Provides a video and resources on illegal evictions and legal assistance to low-income and senior individuals.
  • Housing Navigation Services
    Phone: (608) 826-8093
    Can assist with finding and applying for housing. Provided by Catholic Charities.

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