How long is the waitlist for Section 8?

Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.

211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.

Can single dads get TANF?

Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.

Housing & Financial in Wisconsin

16 verified resources.

About Housing & Financial for Fathers

Housing and financial assistance for fathers comes through a combination of federal programs (HUD, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP) and state/local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with long waitlists in most markets. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing are funded through the federal Continuum of Care program — every region has a Coordinated Entry system that assesses and places homeless adults and families. Rental assistance, utility assistance (LIHEAP), and one-time emergency funds are available through community action agencies and 211 referral lines. Fathers with children in their custody may qualify for Section 8 family priority and TANF, though state rules vary. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 call lines, and community action agencies that serve single dads.

Housing & Financial in Wisconsin

Wisconsin circuit courts hear family matters in each of its 72 counties, with Family Court Counseling services providing mediation and custody studies. The Bureau of Child Support operates under DCF. Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Kenosha are the largest cities. Legal Action of Wisconsin, Judicare, and the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee cover the state.

16 Resources

1. Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) — Free

State housing finance agency offering affordable mortgages, down payment assistance, Section 8 rental administration, multifamily financing, and homebuyer education for Wisconsin residents. Fathers can apply online or through participating WHEDA lenders. Income limits apply to most programs. Bring photo ID, pay stubs, tax returns, and credit report if requested to lender intake. WHEDA also provides landlord and tenant information statewide.

608-266-7884 · 201 W Washington Ave, Suite 700, Madison, WI 53703 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Wisconsin 2-1-1 — Free

Free confidential statewide helpline connecting Wisconsin residents to housing assistance, utility help, food resources, healthcare, and community services 24/7. Fathers in crisis can dial 211 from any phone or search the online database by ZIP code. Specialists are trained to handle rent, utility shutoff, eviction, and shelter questions. No income verification needed to call. Keep ZIP code and specific need ready for quickest referral.

211 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

3. Community Action Coalition of South Central WI (Madison) — Free

Community action agency serving south-central Wisconsin with emergency assistance, housing support, weatherization, utility help, food pantries, and self-sufficiency programs. Fathers can walk in or call to apply for aid. Serves Dane, Jefferson, and Waukesha counties. Bring photo ID, proof of income, utility bill or shutoff notice, lease or mortgage statement, and Social Security cards for household members to intake appointments.

608-246-4730 · 1717 N Stoughton Rd, Madison, WI 53704 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. CAP Services (Stevens Point/Central WI) — Free

Community action agency serving Portage, Marquette, Outagamie, Waupaca, and Waushara counties with emergency rental assistance, weatherization, Head Start, financial coaching, and housing counseling. Fathers can walk in or call the Stevens Point office for intake. Bring photo ID, proof of income, utility bill or shutoff notice, lease or mortgage statement, and Social Security cards for household members to your intake appointment.

715-343-7500 · 1600 West River Dr, Stevens Point, WI 54481 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Wisconsin Energy Assistance (WHEAP) — Free

State-administered Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program providing utility bill help, crisis energy payments, and furnace repair for eligible low-income households from October through May each year. Fathers apply through their local energy assistance agency. Income limits apply. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, proof of income for last three months, and utility bills or shutoff notices to your appointment.

1-866-432-8947 · Apply through local energy assistance agency · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm

6. HUD Wisconsin Field Office — Free

Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development office overseeing public housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Fair Housing enforcement, and HUD-approved housing counseling agencies across Wisconsin. Fathers facing fair housing discrimination can file complaints here. Offices serve statewide. Call for information on local housing authorities, voucher waiting lists, and counseling referrals. Complaints can also be filed online through the HUD website.

414-297-3214 · 310 W Wisconsin Ave, Suite 950, Milwaukee, WI 53203 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

7. Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council — Free

HUD-approved housing counseling agency providing homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention, fair housing complaint investigation, rental counseling, and financial counseling across metro Milwaukee. Fathers can call for free counseling appointments. Services free to low- and moderate-income households. Bring photo ID, pay stubs, tax returns, mortgage statements or lease, and any foreclosure or eviction notices to your intake for fastest service.

414-278-1240 · 759 N Milwaukee St, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI 53202 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance (WERA) — Free

State program providing emergency rental and utility assistance to Wisconsin tenants facing financial hardship, eviction, or utility shutoff due to COVID or economic downturn, where funds are available. Fathers apply online. Income limits apply. Bring photo ID, lease, landlord information, eviction notice if any, proof of income loss, and Social Security cards for household members ready for your online application or appointment.

1-833-900-9372 · Apply online · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Newcap Inc. (Green Bay/Northeast WI) — Free

Community action agency serving 12 counties in northeast Wisconsin with emergency housing assistance, weatherization, Head Start, energy assistance, and self-sufficiency programs. Fathers can walk in or call the Green Bay office for intake. Serves Brown, Door, Kewaunee, and surrounding counties. Bring photo ID, proof of income, utility or rent bills, and Social Security cards for household members to your intake appointment.

920-432-4645 · 1201 Main St, Green Bay, WI 54302 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

10. Racine County Human Services - Housing Assistance — Free

Provides emergency rental assistance, homelessness prevention, housing navigation, and referrals to local shelters and transitional housing for Racine County residents. Fathers facing eviction or homelessness can call or visit the Taylor Avenue office for intake. Serves Racine County. Bring photo ID, lease, eviction notice if any, pay stubs or income documentation, and Social Security cards for household members to your appointment.

262-638-6336 · 1717 Taylor Ave, Racine, WI 53403 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

11. Waukesha County Community Development - Housing — Free

Administers county housing programs including down payment assistance, HOME funds, CDBG housing rehabilitation grants, and homebuyer education for Waukesha County residents. Fathers can call the Moreland Boulevard office for program details. Income limits apply to most programs. Bring photo ID, pay stubs, tax returns, and home or rental information to your appointment. Staff also refer callers to local housing counseling agencies.

262-548-7650 · 515 W Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

12. La Crosse County Community Action (Couleecap) — Free

Community action agency serving Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon counties in western Wisconsin with housing assistance, energy help, weatherization, Head Start, and financial stability programs. Fathers can walk in or call the Westby office for intake. Bring photo ID, proof of income, utility or rent bills, eviction or shutoff notice if any, and Social Security cards for household members to your appointment.

608-782-4877 · 201 Melby St, Westby, WI 54667 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

13. West CAP (Western Wisconsin CAP) — Free

Community action agency serving 7 counties in western Wisconsin with housing assistance, energy aid, weatherization, Head Start, and economic development programs including housing counseling. Fathers can walk in or call the Glenwood City office for intake. Serves Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties. Bring photo ID, proof of income, housing bills, and Social Security cards for household members.

715-265-4271 · 525 2nd St, Glenwood City, WI 54013 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

14. Habitat for Humanity Wisconsin — Paid

Statewide Habitat for Humanity network building affordable homes for low-income Wisconsin families through local affiliates that partner with qualifying homebuyers on sweat-equity builds. Fathers can apply to their nearest affiliate for homeownership programs or home repair. Income and household requirements vary by affiliate. Search online by city to find the local affiliate and application process. Bring pay stubs, tax returns, and credit report to intake.

Multiple affiliates statewide · Varies by affiliate

15. Social Development Commission (Milwaukee) — Free

Milwaukee County's designated community action agency providing housing assistance, emergency aid, weatherization, Head Start, VITA tax prep, and financial empowerment programs. Fathers can walk in or call the North Avenue office for intake. Serves Milwaukee County. Bring photo ID, proof of income, utility or rent bills, eviction or shutoff notice if any, and Social Security cards for household members to your appointment.

414-906-2700 · 1730 W North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53205 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

16. Salvation Army of Wisconsin - Housing Assistance — Free

Provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, rental assistance, utility help, and case management through locations across Wisconsin including Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and rural corps. Fathers facing homelessness can walk in to the nearest corps or call for intake. Assistance varies by location and funding availability. Bring photo ID, any eviction or shutoff notice, and proof of income if requested to your appointment.

414-302-4300 · Multiple Wisconsin locations · Varies by location · Visit Website

Housing & Financial — Common Questions

How long is the waitlist for Section 8?: Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
Can single dads get TANF?: Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.
What's LIHEAP?: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.