Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors: Committee on Finance approves collaborative effort to continue right to counsel program

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Supervisors Jack Eckblad, Caroline Gómez-Tom, and Juan Miguel Martinez are pleased to announce the approval of two Right to Counsel amendments that secure critical funding for the Eviction Free Milwaukee program by the Committee on Finance. These amendments represent a collaborative effort among Milwaukee County, the City of Milwaukee, and dedicated private grant partners to protect Milwaukee families from eviction and housing instability. Supervisors Eckblad, Gómez-Tom, and Martinez made the following statements:  

“Right to Counsel is a community-driven initiative that exemplifies our commitment to ensuring housing stability for Milwaukee residents,” said Supervisor Eckblad. “Through this program, over 14,000 eviction cases have been prevented to date, making a measurable impact for families and saving the County an estimated $3 in downstream costs for every $1 invested.”

Supervisor Gómez-Tom expressed gratitude for the program’s reach, noting, “This funding strengthens our dedication to equitable access to legal support, especially for renters facing some of the toughest times. We’re committed to keeping families in their homes and neighborhoods stable.” 

“This collaboration is a testament to the collective power of city, county, and community partnerships,” said Supervisor Martinez. “By coming together, we’re investing not only in a program but in the wellbeing of our community.”

In a unique partnership, Milwaukee County has committed $250,000 in funding, which will be matched by an additional $250,000 from the Milwaukee Common Council and $250,000 from private grants. The resources will be used to continue offering legal representation to low-income renters facing eviction while seeking additional grants to support long-term sustainability. 

The Committee on Finance has also passed a resolution directing the County’s Office of Strategy, Budget, and Performance to coordinate with Eviction Free Milwaukee and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County to pursue additional grant funding to maintain funding for the program.