Supervisor Clancy ‘Right to Counsel’ Proposal Overwhelmingly Endorsed by Finance Committee, Public

MILWAUKEE – On Thursday the County Board’s Finance Committee unanimously recommended a resolution by Supervisor Ryan Clancy that would create a pilot “Right to Counsel” program for Milwaukee County residents facing eviction.

“Over these last few years I’ve been moved by the deeply personal stories about the massive disruption and harm that eviction and foreclosure bring,” said Supervisor Clancy. “I’m grateful to the many folks who waited for more than five hours to share their insight Thursday—both those with profound professional insight into this legislation and the people who braved the stigma of eviction to speak for the 14,000 Milwaukee County residents evicted in a typical year. Your advocacy will keep many others from enduring that same trauma.”

Right to Counsel establishes the right to an attorney for any person facing eviction or foreclosure in Milwaukee County. The resolution provides initial funding commitments through 2022 from Milwaukee County’s American Rescue Plan funds. These dollars will be bolstered by a generous commitment from the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha, which has committed at least $1.5 million over the next five years.

Speaking in favor of the resolution were Colleen Foley from Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee; Krystina Kohler and Jeremy Simon from the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha; Amara Lang, Robert Penner, and Jacqueleen Clark with the Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union; Kamila Ahmed with The Peoples Revolution; Nicole Zimmer from Legal Action of Wisconsin; Joseph Johnston from the Democratic Socialists of America; and Ben Turk.

Shelly Sarasin and Dr. Jan Wilberg from Street Angels Inc also submitted written comments in favor of the resolution.

The Right to Counsel resolution was unanimously recommended for adoption (7-0) and heads to the June 24 County Board of Supervisors meeting with 11 sponsors.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.