Written by Savanna Tomei. Original Article Found Here.

MADISON, Wis. – The Tenant Resource Center has a new location to serve people as eviction filings jump across Wisconsin.

Dane County’s Tenant Resource Center helps people navigate all kinds of rental issues. They’re busier than ever as more Wisconsinites are facing eviction.

The TRC opened a new office on Friday with a lot more space. It’s on Winnebago Street. Before the pandemic, they had nine full-time employees. That’s now tripled to 30. The demand for services has exploded.

“There are so many things that are usually happening in somebody’s life when they’re facing a housing crisis,” said TRC executive director Hannah Renfro. “There are usually issues involving mental health, or health care, child care costs, a loss of a job. All of these things come together so frequently for folks.”

According to the Wisconsin Eviction Data Project, over 28,000 evictions were filed across the state in 2023. That’s the highest number recorded since the project began in 2019.

In Dane County in 2023, eviction filings increased 38% from the year before.

Milwaukee County makes up approximately 16% of Wisconsin’s population. It represented nearly half of all eviction filings in the state in 2023.

Advocates want people to know that if they’re facing eviction, there’s help. The best way to find resources nearby is to call 211.