Since a water line ruptured on the grounds of Sycamore Place Apartments in Milwaukee in February, residents have grown used to lugging gallon-sized jugs of water up to their apartments to drink and cook with.
For Karen Davis, a resident who moved into the complex in January, the inconvenience has made living at the property less than worthwhile. Due to a spinal injury from a car accident, Davis uses a walker, which makes lifting heavy bottles of water a challenge.
Even though Sycamore Place’s management says door-to-door water delivery is available, and city inspectors have repeatedly visited the property to monitor health and safety conditions, Davis wants to move.
“I can’t stay here in this environment with all of this, because it’s affecting my health,” Davis said.
However, Davis’ lease at Sycamore Place is supported by a Section 8 housing choice voucher, which pays for the majority of her rent.
She contacted Public Investigator to confirm that the financial assistance she receives from the city would not vanish if she moves. Public Investigator spoke to the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee and Legal Action of Wisconsin about Davis’ concerns.
Here’s what Section 8 recipients should know:
What is a Section 8 housing choice voucher?
The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly referred to as Section 8, is a rent assistance program that supports low to moderate-income individuals and families in private housing.
Under the program, recipients pay 30% of their income toward monthly rent. The voucher covers the remaining balance, and is usually sent to the landlord via check.
The program is run by the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, also known as HACM, and is available to a limited number of recipients annually.
How long are leases under the Section 8 housing choice voucher program?
Vouchers allow tenants to enter into a lease with a private landlord for at least one year. Month-to-month leases are not allowed during the initial lease agreement.
So long as a voucher recipient remains compliant with the rules of the program, they can continue to receive a voucher without an end date.
Can I break my lease if I have a Section 8 housing choice voucher?
Wisconsin law allows a tenant to break their lease without penalty if there is an issue affecting human health and safety that cannot be repaired within a reasonable time.
Tenants should work closely with their housing choice voucher administrator if they want to terminate their lease, said Kristin Slonski, the assistant director of litigation and advocacy at Legal Action of Wisconsin.
Slonski said that proving potential health and safety risks can be difficult. Still, tenants can raise their concerns to their landlord and the Section 8 administrator to seek a mutual lease termination agreement.
“You would need to find another landlord that could pass inspection and make sure that the Housing Choice Voucher administrator accepts that new landlord,” Slonski said.
If the tenant and landlord are not able to come to an agreement on lease termination, then additional fees for breaking the contract could be issued.
When a tenant moves out of the property, they should confirm that they have terminated their lease with the property and the Housing Authority has terminated their contract with the property on the same day.
Additionally, tenants should confirm that their voucher checks are being sent to their new address once the contract is transferred to a new property.
How much can my landlord charge for rent and utilities if I receive a Section 8 housing voucher?
The Housing Authority sets the maximum rent prices and utility prices that landlords can charge based on typical costs in the area and federal government standards.
Who can I contact for help with Section 8 housing choice vouchers in Milwaukee?
Questions? Tips? Contact Public Investigator
Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We’ll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to publicinvestigator@gannett.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips.
Tamia Fowlkes is a Public Investigator for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at tfowlkes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Can I break my lease if I have a Section 8 housing voucher in Milwaukee?
Reporting by Tamia Fowlkes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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