How many housing & financial resources are in Wisconsin?

Women's Corner tracks 16 housing & financial resources for women in Wisconsin.

Are housing & financial resources in Wisconsin free?

16 of the 16 listed housing & financial resources in Wisconsin are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Wisconsin have housing & financial resources?

Listings span cities including Madison, Milwaukee.

What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Wisconsin?

Featured entries include Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA), Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM), Community Development Authority — Madison, Habitat for Humanity — Milwaukee.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

8 of 16 Wisconsin housing & financial listings include phone numbers.

How long is the Section 8 waitlist?

It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.

211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.

Can I get TANF as a single mother?

Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.

What if I'm being evicted?

Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.

Best Housing & Financial in Wisconsin — 16 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in Wisconsin

Wisconsin circuit courts hear family matters in each of its 72 counties, with Family Court Counseling services providing mediation and custody studies. The Bureau of Child Support operates under DCF. Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Kenosha are the largest cities. Legal Action of Wisconsin, Judicare, the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, and End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin serve women.

16 Resources

1. Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) — Free

State housing programs including rental assistance, homeownership, and affordable housing for women and families in financial need in Madison. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

608-266-7884 · 201 W Washington Ave Suite 700, Madison, WI 53703 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA) — Free

Emergency rental and utility assistance for women facing housing instability across Wisconsin. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

211 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) — Free

Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income Milwaukee women. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

414-286-5500 · 809 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. Community Development Authority — Madison — Free

Affordable housing and rental assistance programs for Dane County residents for women and families in financial need in Madison. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

608-266-4222 · 215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Madison, WI 53703 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Habitat for Humanity — Milwaukee — Free

Affordable homeownership program for qualifying families in the Milwaukee area for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

414-562-5250 · 3726 N Booth St, Milwaukee, WI 53212 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Wisconsin Community Action Program Association — Free

Network of agencies providing housing, financial assistance, and basic needs statewide for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

608-244-4422 · 1310 Mendota St Suite 107, Madison, WI 53714 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Salvation Army — Wisconsin — Free

Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and financial assistance for women in need in Milwaukee. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm.

414-302-4300 · 11315 W Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

8. Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) — Free

Helps low-income women pay heating and electric bills during the cold season across Wisconsin. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

866-432-8947 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

9. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

Federal housing assistance hub. Section 8, public housing, homeless services, and HUD office locator for every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at hud.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

Federal homeless assistance programs and Continuum of Care contacts in every community for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at hud.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — help with heating, cooling, and weatherization in every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at acf.hhs.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

Emergency shelter, rent assistance, food, utilities, and transitional housing in nearly every US community for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at salvationarmyusa.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Emergency assistance, housing, food, and family support — local agency in nearly every diocese nationwide for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at catholiccharitiesusa.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. United Way Worldwide — Free

Local United Ways provide housing assistance, food, financial coaching and 211 referrals for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at unitedway.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Affordable homeownership opportunities for working families in every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at habitat.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Family Promise — Free

National network helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence through community-based programs for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at familypromise.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Wisconsin?: Women's Corner tracks 16 housing & financial resources for women in Wisconsin.
Are housing & financial resources in Wisconsin free?: 16 of the 16 listed housing & financial resources in Wisconsin are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Wisconsin have housing & financial resources?: Listings span cities including Madison, Milwaukee.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Wisconsin?: Featured entries include Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA), Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM), Community Development Authority — Madison, Habitat for Humanity — Milwaukee.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 8 of 16 Wisconsin housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?: It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?: Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?: Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.