By Susan Wolfgram, Co-Director Eau Claire Tenant-Landlord Resource Center
“I didn’t even know that was in my lease!”
EXACTLY.
This is the most frequent comment we hear from tenants after they often unknowingly violate their lease and receive a notice on their door. Most often it is too late to correct the problem. It is in the best interest of tenants, landlords, and the community when tenants read and understand their lease.
#TheRentEatsFirst
Tenants struggle to pay ever-rising rents across the country and in Eau Claire, in spite of the hundreds of new apartments that are being built. Many apartments include units that fall within the workforce housing range of 80-120% of our County Median Income (CMI), approximately $70,000/year. It is our perspective that the “trickle down” theory of building all types of housing in hopes that the affordability will “trickle down” as folks move up does not help those of low to very low income. There are very few units that would “trickle down” to those low rents affordable to this demographic, given there is currently little to no housing stock in their price range.
The Chippewa Valley ALICE Report highlights the problem, as wages do not keep pace with rents: https://www.uwgcv.org/meet-alice. Almost 40% of our workforce are low-income earners, earning $30,000/year or less. The recent City of Eau Claire Regional Housing Study and the Regional Housing Conference last fall acknowledged that housing for this demographic should be our priority. (https://www.eauclairewi.gov/government/boards-commissions-committees/housing-opportunities-commission/regional-housing-study )
Apart from LIHTC-WHEDA projects, which require developers to include a specific percentage of their units for those that earn 50-60% of the CMI, we are in need of an intentional plan to creatively work with both the public and private sectors to build for our neighbors who often pay up to 50% or more of their income on rent. This unsustainable cost means that folks get behind in their rent, and many face the consequence of a notice to vacate, and for some, an eviction notice.
This event is not intended for the general public; it is intended for tenants, as well as landlords and property managers, who may wish to share this with their tenants. A Facebook event will be posted soon to share.
Click here for links to Tenant-Landlord Resource Center website and Facebook page
Image description: Flyer that reads “What did I just sign? Understanding Your Lease” Eviction Prevention. April 18th 5:00-7:30PM. Eau Claire Library – 3rd floor, Riverview Room. Refreshments provided. “Without stable housing, everything else falls apart.” – Matthew Desmond. Participating agencies: United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin, JONAH of the Chippewa Valley’s Affordable Housing Task Force, Eau Claire Tenant-Landlord Resource Center, Wisconsin Peer Specialists, Hertel Law, Riverbend Rentals and Property Management, and JONAH. Images of a paper lease agreement and a family smiling.