Shelter Task Force Advocacy Campaign

Housing Funds
FROZEN

Dedicated federal housing funds for Milwaukee are stuck in legal limbo. We need immediate advocacy to unfreeze them.

Status: Critical Legal Emergency

Context: How We Got Here

1. The Dispute

The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) challenged HUD's recent NOFO?Notice of Funding Opportunity: The competitive application process HUD uses to award federal housing grants., arguing new metrics illegally disadvantage Permanent Supportive Housing.

2. The Freeze

Rather than fixing the metrics, HUD?Dept. of Housing & Urban Development: The federal agency responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs. paused the entire funding process. This froze grants that were already competed for and awarded.

3. The Standoff

We are now in federal court. The judge must decide whether to stop the rule (Injunction) and force HUD to release the money.

Urgent Court Timeline

Emergency Status Conference

Monday, Dec 15

Judge meets with legal teams.

1

Action Required

Contact officials BEFORE this date.

2

Decision on Injunction

Friday, Dec 19

Ruling on "Stop Sign" & Fund Release.

Action Required

Prepare PSH data for submission.

Understanding the Injunctions

This legal battle has two phases. We need the "Pause Button" (Preliminary) immediately to survive until the "Final Fix" (Permanent).

Preliminary Injunction

Short Term

"The Emergency Pause Button"

  • Temporarily halts rule to prevent harm.
  • Critical: Winning this allows us to demand immediate fund release.

Permanent Injunction

Long Term

"The Final Fix"

  • Permanently strikes down the bad rule.
  • Takes months; we cannot wait for this to get funding.

The Crisis: 100% Frozen

The legal battle has blocked 100% of the federal funds already awarded to Milwaukee. These are not new requests; they are existing commitments that keep our shelters open.

The Judge's Responsibility (Two-Fold):

  • Grant Injunction: Stop the bad rule.
  • Release Funds: Force HUD to pay out awarded grants immediately.

Current Funding Availability

PSH Allocation: Current vs Proposed Cap

The Stakes: Mandatory Cuts

HUD's proposed rule caps PSH?Permanent Supportive Housing: Long-term housing with indefinite leasing/rental assistance and supportive services for people with disabilities. at 30% of our portfolio. Milwaukee currently needs over 90% to serve our population.

Major Changes: What We Are "Allowed" To Do

1. The 30% Portfolio Cap Forces dismantling of majority of successful programs.
2. 75% Renewal Limit Mandates a 25% annual cut/eviction rate for stable housing.
3. Penalties for Stability Punishes programs if residents stay >24 months.

Disproportionate Impact

Veterans

Rely on PSH for PTSD support. Short-term models fail complex trauma needs.

Seniors

Fastest-growing group. Need PSH for healthcare stability.

LGBTQ+

Disproportionately represented in youth homelessness; PSH provides safety.

Racial Equity

Cuts deepen systemic disparities for Black and Brown residents.

Beyond Milwaukee

Statewide Crisis

This funding freeze affects every CoC?Continuum of Care: A regional planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals. in Wisconsin. Visit our partners to see how they are impacted:

National Precedent

The NAEH lawsuit makes Milwaukee a test case. If HUD wins, "success" is redefined federally as "speed of exit" rather than "stability," threatening PSH nationwide.

"A loss here signals to every CoC in America that Permanent Supportive Housing is no longer a federal priority."

The Future: Local Independence

We cannot rely solely on federal whims. We must build a local safety net.

Local Gov: Dedicated revenue streams.
State Gov: Housing Trust Funds.
Health Systems: Housing as healthcare.
Philanthropy: Flexible capital.
Corporate: Workforce housing.

Target Funding Mix

Take Action Now

Click a card to reveal specific contacts and messaging scripts.

Residents

Deadline: Today

Call leaders. Demand support for the injunction.

View Contacts & Script

Mayor C. Johnson:
(414) 286-2200

Exec. D. Crowley:
(414) 278-4211

Gov. T. Evers:
(608) 266-1212

"I am a resident. The HUD funding freeze threatens our housing stability. Please publicly support the NAEH injunction."

Providers

Deadline: Dec 19

Document harm. Hiring freezes? Intakes delayed?

View Instructions

Send impact data to Shelter Task Force Lead immediately.

HUD Region 5:
(312) 353-5680

Metrics needed:
• Staff vacancies frozen
• Clients waitlisted
• Capacity reduction %

Donors

Deadline: Dec 15

Leverage influence. Brief federal contacts.

View Contacts & Script

Sen. Baldwin:
(414) 297-4451

Rep. Moore:
(414) 297-1140

"The funding freeze undermines our local philanthropic investments. Pressure HUD to release funds immediately."

Advocacy Resources

Strategy & Talking Points

Federal Overview
NAEH Analysis of HUD Policy
Messaging Templates
Scripts for officials & media

Data & Action Tools

Data One-Pagers
Localizing the impact
Media Kits
Social graphics & press guides

Social Media Share Kit

Post 1: The Alert
Post 2: Action