The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $30 billion in renewal funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV). This funding will help Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) continue to provide assistance to families and individuals who are in need of affordable housing options.
[Note: The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee is set to receive over $39 million.]
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By Samuel A Walker, City Assessor
What is Mass Appraisal?
Why Use Mass Appraisal?
Did you miss the last RPA Landlord Boot Camp in April? Are you wondering when the next one will be so you don't miss out again?
Or are you like the attendees who attended a Boot Camp, and want to take the next one to make sure you keep your skills sharp?
Or are you the like the attendees who completed a Boot Camp maybe a year or two ago and really want to "sharpen the pencil"?
Don't worry! The RPA is working on scheduling the next Landlord Boot Camp for November. So stay tuned!
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Thursday announced new guidelines that aim to apply the provisions of the Fair Housing Act to the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of housing.
HUD released separate pieces of guidance aimed at applying Fair Housing Act provisions to two key areas of concern in which AI use could impact the fair application of housing services: the tenant screening process and “its application to the advertising of housing opportunities through online platforms that use targeted ads,” HUD said in its announcement.
How much did assessments increase in Milwaukee in 2024?
All of the city's 15 aldermanic districts saw assessments rise, though there was quite a range in terms of how much they increased, according to the Assessor's Office.
At the high end, the assessed value of residential property increased 26.85% in District 1 on the city's north side, while District 4 that encompasses much of downtown and the near west side saw the smallest increase at 14.02%.
The range depends on the neighborhood and should generally be aligned with other comparable homes in the area.
Is it possible for an assessment to increase without any upgrades being made to the home? If so, how?
Yes. Assessments are based on a comparison of homes to similar ones that have sold over the past year. Thus, property owners can see values go up even if they have not made improvements — and even if they don't intend to.
What is a 'maintenance year' for property assessments and what does that mean for 2024?
Last year was a "maintenance year," when assessments from 2022 were used and values were updated "when changes warrant," according to the Assessor's Office website. Changes could include new construction, changes in parcel size, remodeling, demolition and more. They do not necessarily result in a change in value.
In a "revaluation" year like 2024, assessed values for most properties will change.
"In a revaluation, the assessor looks at the prior years' sales to update assessments citywide, in addition to the property changes and corrections reviewed for a maintenance assessment," the website states.
How can you appeal your assessment?
Property owners in Milwaukee have until 4:45 p.m. on May 20 to file an appeal of their assessments.
The first step to filing an appeal is to contact the Assessor's Office.
The Assessor's Office can be reached:
The second step is to request an appeal form and return it by 4:45 p.m. on May 20.
The office recommends that evidence be submitted with appeals. For residential property owners, that could be a copy of a recent appraisal, recent market analysis from a local real estate agent, photos of the inside or outside of the home showing areas that need maintenance, and photos showing features that weren't part of the home as of Jan. 1 of the current year but that are listed on the Assessor's Office's property record card.
Read Full Article Here (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
The Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected Legal Action’s bid to make eviction judgments disappear in one year instead of the statutory 10-year retention period.
The industry and good renters owe a large thank you to Attorney Heiner Giese (RPA - Rental Property Association of Wisconsin), Rick Van Der Leest of the Green Bay and Appleton Associations, and Chris Mokler of the Wisconsin Apartment Association for making this happen. Heiner and Rick received mention by the Court at the hearing today.
Heiner’s comments:
Follow the statute: if no money judgment is docketed, then the case goes off CCAP after two years; if a writ was issued then the record is searchable for 10 years. Our goal has always been to encourage nonpaying tenants to move voluntarily, so landlords can dismiss a case without the trauma (for both parties) of having the sheriff do a forced moveout.
By Dawn Anastasi, RPA Board Member
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee has been holding monthly virtual meetings always on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 10 am-11 am CDT.
Rent Increase Forms
One reminder in the session email is that starting March 1, 2024, they no longer mail out rent increase forms. You can obtain a rent increase form on their website. They are counting on you to be proactive and to monitor your HACM tenant lease ending dates so you know when future rent increase forms are due. Return completed rent increase forms to section8leasing@hacm.org no less than 90 days prior to the lease end date.
The Housing Authority Process
A reminder on the call that there are only so many Housing Vouchers. People need to apply, then get selected from a waiting list. Applicants need to prove that they are income eligible. HACM's waiting list has been open since December 2021. There are about 15,000 people on the waiting list.
Once someone is selected, they go through a background check, an income eligibility check, and a assets check. Once someone passes these checks, the applicant is issued a Housing Voucher which is valid for 120 days. The tenant can then look for housing. The applicant can pay no more than 30% of their income on housing, including utilities. HACM will pay the rest.
Once a tenant applies for a rental unit, HACM does a rent reasonableness check, and does an inspection on the unit to ensure it is safe and functional.
Today's Session
Today's session was the sixth such virtual session and focused on an open forum for questions from Housing Providers. Here are some of the questions asked:
Q: When can we see housing contracts on the HACM portal?
A: We are working with the software company at this time. We hope to have it available in the next 6 weeks.
Q: I have a S8 tenant in a duplex unit. The other unit in the building is becoming available shortly and the S8 tenant wants to move to the other unit. Can I allow that? Do we end the current lease and start a new one and redo the entire process?
A: Yes, both tenant and landlord need to sign a mutual lease/HAP termination form. The new unit would need to be inspected before the transfer.
Q: I have tenants that can't complete recertification online. Many of my tenants don't have computers or printers. Can they still receive the paper recert packet?
A: No. It is required to be completed online. We will be having open computer labs on Wednesdays from 10 am - 12 pm and 2-4 pm going forward.
Q: Is there a way that Housing Providers can get an email reminder for renewal dates from the HACM portal?
A: HACM is looking for an answer on this from the software provider. Email reminders are not currently available. Housing Providers need to go to "Unit Info" on the HACM portal and check the "Re-exam Date". Subtract 3 months from that date and that is the date to get the rent increase forms into HACM by.
Q: How many inspectors does HACM currently have?
A: Currently HACM has 3 inspectors and they are looking to hire 1 more.
Q: How far in advance are inspections scheduled?
A: Typically 2-3 months prior to the lease recertification date.
Q: Is the Housing Portal available in languages other than English for tenants who do not speak/read/write English well?
A: The portal allows them to select the language. If they need assistance it is being provided on Wednesdays at 5003 W. Lisbon.
Q: How do we as landlords rebuttal if we do not agree with the proposed rent by Housing?
A: The lease and contract specialist will work with you to come up with a reasonable rent for the unit.
In a landmark settlement, a property management company and its landlord have agreed to pay a significant sum following allegations of violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
After spending 14 months and $50,000 in attorneys’ fees litigating the case, the defendants opted to settle. The consent decree requires the defendants to pay the servicemember $10,225.65, which includes the unlawful termination fees and additional rent plus two times the unlawful fees and additional rent assessed. The decree also orders the defendants to pay a $3,000 civil penalty to the U.S. Treasury. Moreover, the company must provide SCRA training for its employees and avoid imposing the 35-mile restriction on leases involving qualifying service members and their dependents.
The resolution of this case sets a precedent for the protection of SCRA rights nationwide. All landlords should be aware of how the SCRA affects their relationship with tenants. In litigation failure to provide a servicemembers affidavit can derail proceedings, wasting the time, effort, and resources of the landlord. Even out of court, failure to abide by SCRA rules can be an expensive mistake.
Read Full Article Here
Florida Governor Signs New Law Squashing Squatters’ Rights
In late March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that makes it easier to remove squatters—which, as we have seen, is a growing problem across the nation. According to WPTV, under the new law, a property owner can request law enforcement to immediately remove a squatter if the person has unlawfully entered, has refused to leave after being told by the homeowner to do so and is not a current or former tenant in a legal dispute.
See Full Article Here
Legislation cracking down on squatters unveiled in Albany
A bipartisan package of bills to crack down on squatters was unveiled in Albany on Wednesday. The legislation aims to propose stricter laws and expedited eviction processes.
Members of the New York State Assembly joined with landlords, putting forward a bill to try to close a legal loophole.
"Assembly Bill 6894 is simple. It would allow lawful homeowners to remove squatters by redefining squatters as trespassers rather than tenants under New York state law," Blumencranz said.
Elected officials say the legislation is urgent after a squatting case turned deadly last week. Police sources say 52-year-old Nadia Vitels traveled from Spain to New York City to check on her deceased mother's vacant apartment in Kips Bay. She arrived unaware two squatters had been living there.
"She went to the apartment, encountered two squatters who tragically beat her to death and then stuffed her body in a duffel bag. Really horrific," Assemblymember Will Barclay said.
Squatters Reform Act gives property owners more rights in Georgia
“It puts some parameters to protect property owners," said Georgia Representative Misha Mainor. "Right now, if there were a victim process, it could take months to get someone out of your home that you own; now, it will take three days."
In addition, Mainor said squatters will now be held financially liable to speed up the eviction process.
“They also must pay rent for all of the time that they were in the property and for any damages," she said.
Mainor adds that squatters who make up fake rental agreements could be charged with a misdemeanor and jailed for up to a year.
A 32-page report was jointly released from the Urban Institute and the Bipartisan Policy Center a few days ago. In the summary, the Urban Institute writes:
We conclude that the current inspection regime that demands every single HCV unit be inspected in person before a lease can be executed and payments begin flowing is akin to using a bazooka to kill a gnat, as just 4 out of every 100 very low–income central city renters and fewer than 2 out of every 100 very low–income suburban renters live in severely inadequate units.
Although a strong argument can be made that inspections are an anachronism, we provide a fuller set of policy options short of doing away with inspections entirely as ways to streamline operations, expand landlord participation, and promote greater voucher use, particularly in high-opportunity communities.
Download the full PDF here
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