PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Pillars, the Appleton-based service providing shelter and affordable housing, has provided over $1 million in rent subsidies over the past year.
It now serves over 300 people through its low-income rent subsidy program, significantly more than the 135 men and women it houses in its homeless shelters.
“Each year here at Pillars, we adjust rent for our household to 30% of their income,” said Executive Director Lisa Strandberg. “We do that because that’s what makes housing accessible for people we serve.”
Pillars owns several properties throughout the city
Pillars’ properties are spread throughout Appleton and are mostly provided by donors. It includes apartments, other multi-family housing and even single-family homes.
“Tenants have to have at least $1,000 monthly income,” said Strandberg. “And generally our tenants are with us for two or three years on average. Some less, some more. It really depends. The goal is for them to get stabilized and self-sufficient enough that they can manage housing on their own after.”
Pillars says renters pay about $350 to $400 instead of the average market rate of $1,000.
Mostly donor-funded, also reinvests rent money and receives state and federal grants
Pillars does sometimes receive grants funded by state or federal taxpayers for its operations. However, it mostly can afford to subsidize rent because the properties have been donated — which the organization hopes will continue.
“We do hope to grow our portfolio through additional donations, and through acquisitions of property with donated funds,” said Strandberg.
And right now that need is strong, as about three people wait for every one unit available.
Last August, landlord Dick Reetz left 20 units to Pillars when he died, the largest donation since Pillars was formed in 2018.
Comments