Waukesha County Renters Get Eviction Relief: What To Know

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI — Waukesha County renters are protected from eviction at least through the end of September after facing uncertainty with the expiration of the previous moratorium.

The new federal moratorium on evictions is in effect for the next 60 days or until Oct. 3. The order applies to counties in the United States that are experiencing substantial and high levels of community transmission levels of the virus, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

According to the CDC, Waukesha County is experiencing “substantial” levels of community transmission.

After14 days of not having substantial or high levels, the order will no longer apply in a county, unless the county reaches those levels again.

“Any eviction actions initiated, but not yet completed, since the end of the previous moratorium (July 31) is subject to this order. Eviction judgments that have been issued since then are not subject to the order,” the CDC said.

In Waukesha County for the year, there have been 129 evictions filings through July 31. By comparison, Jackie Smith, executive director of The Housing Action Coalition for Waukesha County, released the following data for two full years.

• In 2020, 349 evictions were filed in Waukesha County.

• In 2019, 432 evictions were filed in Waukesha County.

Smith released the following statement to Patch:

"With the data that has been provided to us at a local level, it seems that there has been a continual decrease in eviction judgements for the first half of 2021. While COVID-19 has presented many challenges to our community and around the world, it has also made many opportunities possible to better serve our community’s needs during a very unprecedented time.

Our community has been fortunate to receive several different COVID-19 relief programs that offer households with federal funding to assist with overdue rent and utility costs to stay in safe and stable housing during the pandemic.

It is evident that the funding available has been getting out to the households that need it the most and the low eviction numbers are a strong indication to that.

However, we are still anticipating a strong chance that we will see a surge in eviction filings come August and September. With that, we need to be ready to support those who are experiencing a housing crisis and who meet the qualifications to get the funds out rapidly to avoid a rise in homelessness throughout Waukesha County.

Our community response and collaboration are a true testament to the commitment to strengthen Waukesha’s ongoing economic revitalization while keeping households safely housed and having access to supportive services and resources."