Madison Reporter

City and County government officials have announced impending changes to the Eviction Diversion and Defense Partnership (EDDP), a local initiative established during the COVID-19 pandemic to support lower-income renters facing eviction. The program collaborates with organizations such as the Tenant Resource Center, Community Justice Inc., Legal Action of Wisconsin, and the UW Law School to provide rent payments, legal representation, mediation services, and other housing support.

The EDDP is funded by money from the City of Madison and Dane County through the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program. Since its inception, it has distributed nearly $26 million in financial assistance to about 3,000 renter households. However, most ERA funds have been depleted and remaining funds must be used by September 30 or returned to the federal government.

In response to dwindling ERA funding, local officials are seeking alternative resources to sustain EDDP services. Dane County has allocated approximately $1 million from American Rescue Plan funds for the Tenant Resource Center to extend services until 2026. Additionally, a $950,000 Eviction Prevention grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was awarded to continue many current EDDP services.

Despite these efforts, officials acknowledge that combined funding is significantly less than what was available from ERA and both sources are non-renewable. Consequently, while some form of EDDP will persist after ERA funds are exhausted this summer, it will serve fewer households with reduced benefits compared to the existing program.

Tenant Resource Center officials are assessing necessary program adjustments due to decreased funding and plan to release details on revised EDDP operations soon. Non-financial support is expected to remain uninterrupted; however, there may be a gap in rent assistance availability once ERA funds run out.

Renters involved in eviction proceedings or at immediate risk should continue utilizing current EDDP services through the Tenant Resource Center. New requests for rent assistance must be submitted by March 31 for disbursement this summer before the September 30 deadline. Tenants and landlords with pending applications will receive direct updates on their status from the Tenant Resource Center. For inquiries or concerns, contacting the Tenant Resource Center is advised.