WERA: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2023

Please see the attached statement from the Wisconsin Department of Administration announcing the closing of the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance program (WERA).  Locally, between February 2021 and November 2022, Lakeshore CAP distributed $6.1M of rent, utility, internet and water assistance on behalf of 1,700 households comprised of 3,894 individuals.

Lakeshore CAP will continue to process WERA applications.  Assistance will be based upon funding and staff capacity.  Unfortunately, Lakeshore CAP cannot guarantee that all applicant households will be assisted.

Once the WERA funding has been exhausted, Lakeshore CAP will be implementing a robust Housing Stability Services program. This program does not provide financial assistance, but rather support and resource referral to those struggling with housing instability. More information will be available at a later date.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/343f65c

SEVERE SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN WISCONSIN MEANS FAMILIES WITH THE LOWEST INCOMES SUFFER MOST

The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, a new report released today by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) and WISCAP finds a national shortage of 7 million affordable and available rental homes for the lowest-income households. There are just 36 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 of the lowest-income renter households nationwide. 71% of the poorest renter households are severely housing cost-burdened, spending more than half of their incomes on housing, with little left over for other basic necessities. The pandemic has only made things worse. Long-term federal investments are needed to combat this housing crisis for the lowest-income renters.

Every year, The Gap reports on the severe shortage of affordable rental homes available to extremely low-income families and individuals. Brad Paul, Executive Director of WISCAP, is calling attention to the crisis in affordable housing in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has only 34 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 households with extremely low incomes. We have over 188,000 extremely low-income renters in Wisconsin. 65% of these renters are severely housing cost burdened. Paul says, “Wisconsin can and must do better.”

The report shows how these lowest-income renters were uniquely positioned to suffer disproportionately from the effects of lost income and housing insecurity during the pandemic. Although the federal government took unprecedented actions to protect the lowest-income renters, the government’s actions were temporary. Most eviction moratoriums have been lifted and resources such as federal emergency rental assistance are running out. Longer-term federal investments in affordable housing are needed to combat the underlying shortage of affordable housing that exposed so many of these lowest-income renters to housing instability in the first place.

“The pandemic has made plain our nation’s lack of a housing safety net,” said NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel. “It is time to invest in long-term housing policies that will finally address the systemic shortage of affordable housing and provide housing stability for the lowest-income families.”

For additional information, visit: https://nlihc.org/gap

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About WISCAP: The Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) is the statewide association for Wisconsin’s sixteen (16) Community Action agencies and two single-purpose agencies with statewide focus. You can learn more about WISCAP at wiscap.org

May is “Community Action Program Month!”

May is “Community Action Program Month!”

lcap

Lakeshore CAP is Celebrating Our Mission in May “Community Action Month”

We are here to identify local needs and find solutions to issues that affect low-income persons. Thank you, Governor Evers for recognizing the work we do to improve the lives of our neighbors. See the State of Wisconsin Office of the Governor Proclamation at: Wisconsin Community Action Month See a list below of Lakeshore Community Action Program’s current programming to assist eligible households in our Wisconsin service area of Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Door and Kewaunee counties.

The need for Community Action has never been greater. Neither has our resolve. We’re challenged to create solutions that don’t just help people stay afloat but build lives of stability, dignity, and, whenever possible, prosperity. And we will rise to that challenge. Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live.

Whether our neighbors are experiencing a temporary set back or have been priced out
of affordable housing – too many struggle to achieve a good quality of life. Despite
America’s economic recovery, nearly 40 million of us are still living in poverty and even more are just one missed paycheck away from hardship. We believe everyone should be
able to take care of their families and have an equal opportunity at success. The nation’s Community Action network – including 1,000 plus Community Action Agencies – are
a robust, national, state, and local force, reaching children and families in 99% of America’s
counties with life changing services that create pathways to opportunity and prosperity.

Lakeshore CAP’s Mission

The Lakeshore Community Action Program (CAP) mission is to promote economic and personal self-sufficiency and well-being of low to moderate income persons and families through service programs, advocacy, community education and resource development in Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties, and to enable and empower all persons, parents and families through voluntary prevention, education and support.

Our Vision

Our vision is to foster stable, vibrant, poverty-free communities where everyone is inspired to reach their full potential.

Our Values

To truly live our mission and ultimately achieve our vision, the following are Lakeshore CAP’s values:

  1. Integrity: To do the right thing every time.
  2. Caring: To always interact towards others with empathy and compassion.
  3. Excellence: To strive to exceed expectations.
  4. Teamwork: To act as one through collaboration, cooperation, and communication.
  5. Perseverance: To tenaciously execute our objective.

Our Programs Include . . .


Activities for Qualified Households . . .

To further the Lakeshore CAP mission, activities are developed that fulfill the following primary needs for qualified households:

  • Community services that meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter
  • Family development services that promote parent education and support
  • Child services that provide protection from neglect and abuse
  • Housing services to promote safe, decent and affordable home ownership
  • Skills programming that stimulates job and business development

Facebook Like & Follow us on Facebook for our latest programs and events: Lakeshore CAP Facebook

Lakeshore CAP Mission & Programs

Lakeshore CAP Mission & Programs

Mission

The Lakeshore Community Action Program (CAP) mission is to promote economic and personal self-sufficiency and well-being of low to moderate income persons and families through service programs, advocacy, community education and resource development in Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties, and to enable and empower all persons, parents and families through voluntary prevention, education and support.

Vision

Our vision is to foster stable, vibrant, poverty-free communities where everyone is inspired to reach their full potential.

Values

To truly live our mission and ultimately achieve our vision, the following are LCAP’s values:

  1. Integrity: To do the right thing every time.
  2. Caring: To always interact towards others with empathy and compassion.
  3. Excellence: To strive to exceed expectations.
  4. Teamwork: To act as one through collaboration, cooperation, and communication.
  5. Perseverance: To tenaciously execute our objective.

Our Programs Include . . .


Activities for Qualified Households . . .

To further the Lakeshore CAP mission, activities are developed that fulfill the following primary needs for qualified households:

  • Community services that meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter
  • Family development services that promote parent education and support
  • Child services that provide protection from neglect and abuse
  • Housing services to promote safe, decent and affordable home ownership
  • Skills programming that stimulates job and business development

 

Facebook Like & Follow us on Facebook for our latest programs and events: Lakeshore CAP Facebook