UMOS Housing Program

The UMOS housing department began in response to the chronic need experienced by migrant workers coming to Wisconsin. Many migrant workers experienced homelessness early in each season, and UMOS' supportive services often became overburdened as a result. In response, UMOS sought a more systemic solution to the migrant housing issue by developing farm labor housing for migrant families. Thus, UMOS began its expansion of housing activities that has included efforts to impact the total spectrum of housing needs for its service populations, including not only provision of supportive services, but the development of physical assets for housing and other service delivery, advocacy, education for renters and homebuyers, and home financing.

The goal of the UMOS Housing Department is to provide a continuum of services that will impact the full spectrum of need experienced by the people we serve.

UMOS Purchases New Apartments

In October of 2006, UMOS purchased the former Vista Flores Apartments from La Raza Farm Labor Housing, Inc. The apartments are now known as the UMOS Jefferson Apartments, located in Jefferson, Wisconsin. UMOS, through a USDA/Rural Development 514/516 loan/grant, will renovate the 16-unit, two, and three bedroom apartments, both interior and exterior. Renovations will include new roofs, bathrooms, kitchens, doors, windows, and parking lot.

Housing Programs include:

• Seasonal Rental Housing for Migrants at the Aurora Center in New Berlin, Wisconsin, the Montello Center in Montello, Wisconsin and the Claremont Center in Claremont, Wisconsin.
• Transitional Rental Housing Services for Farmworkers at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
• Eight-State Migrant Housing Consortium program in Midwestern states (DOL 167 Housing).
• Fifteen-State Technical Assistance project, providing technical assistance to organizations in developing Farm Labor Housing under USDA 514/516 USDA 514/516.
• Rent Smart Education program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Technical assistance also provided to Migrant Housing Consortium partners in the Midwest.

		Claremont Center
		UMOS has expanded its housing activities, including efforts to impact the total spectrum of housing needs for its service populations.

		Hispanic Housing Partnership
		UMOS has expanded its housing activities, including efforts to impact the total spectrum of housing needs for its service populations.

		Seasonal Rental Program
		This project was originally funded as a migrant homeless project under HUD Emergency Shelter Grants with additional funds from Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) and Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA).

		Transitional Rental Program
		This project was developed under the USDA 514/516 program.

		UMOS Jefferson Apartments
		The UMOS housing department began in response to the chronic need experienced by migrant workers coming to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Many migrant workers experienced homelessness early in each

		8 State Consortium
		This is a consortium of organizations in eight Midwestern states organized to promote better housing options for migrant workers through support, advocacy and development. UMOS provides services directly in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri and subcontracts to organizations in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

		Fifteen-State Technical Assistance
		This is a contract under the Rural Housing Service of USDA to provide technical assistance services to organizations located in a 15-state area of the Central United States that are interested in developing Farm Labor Housing projects under the USDA 514/516 program.

		Rent Smart Education
		The housing counseling and education for renters and first time home buyers program is offered to UMOS tenants at the five housing centers and to farmworkers in the surrounding areas. Certified staff work with farmworkers on one-on-one and group settings with the Realizing the American Dream and Rent Smart curricula.

		Technical Assistance
		Technical assistance also provided to Migrant Housing Consortium partners in the Midwest.