Landlord Mitigation Program

The Landlord Mitigation Program's purpose is to increase the number of rental opportunities for individuals/families who are currently experiencing homelessness in La Crosse, WI. Payments of up to $5,000 are available to landlords in the program if their units are damaged or arrears in rent and/or fees were to be accumulated.

The funds are designed to reduce the risk to a landlord who agrees to rent to a client who may have a poor rental history and/or other barriers that may traditionally be considered grounds to decline a rental application.

Service providers work with eligible clients to register them in the program. Service providers also agree to provide a minimum requirement of services for two years. Landlords retain all of their legal rights by signing up for this program.

This program is funded with support from the Johns Flaherty Collins Michael Stoke Memorial, June Kjome Justice & Peace, and Community Giving funds of the La Crosse Community Foundation. Participation is limited.

How it works:

LANDLORDS

Any landlord in La Crosse, WI is eligible for this program as long as they are willing to offer any available units to an individual or family on the eligibility list. The Landlord Partnership Agreement outlines their responsibilities in this agreement. Landlords maintain all of their legal rights to evict someone if necessary, however, this program highly encourages and creates a structure to help landlords communicate with their tenants, the service providers, and the City if they have concerns. Our goal is to promote proactive partnerships and relationship-building with everyone involved.

SERVICE PROVIDERS

Service providers (those agencies who serve the unsheltered) review and sign the "Landlord Partnership Agreement" as well as the Service Provider Application. The Service Provider Application outlines the supports and services they can offer the client. This includes: developing goals with the client, offering ongoing support services, communication with the landlord, and meeting with the client on a monthly basis (at a minimum).

CLIENTS

The client signs the Client Participation Agreement and Release of Information indicating they agree to work with the service provider for two years (the life of this program) and that communication can happen between all parties. The services offered are dependent on the client's individual needs and their level of cooperation with their service provider. If the client refuses to work with the service provider at any point throughout the program, the landlord holds the ability to terminate the lease agreement.

For more information and to request an application, please contact:

Brian Sampson, LSW
Homeless Services Coordinator
City of La Crosse
608-789-8687
sampsonb@cityoflacrosse.org

 Landlord Partnership Agreement 

Service Provider Application 

Client Participation Agreement

Landlord Mitigation Program Brochure (1)