Housing Justice

Everyone deserves a place to call home. Decent, stable, and affordable housing is the foundation for thriving families and communities. It’s a critical prerequisite for good health, public safety, educational success, economic opportunity, and overall community well-being. These core principles are embedded in the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968—and they continue to guide the work of SOPHIA’s Housing Justice Task Force.

Yet for far too many residents in Waukesha County, the path to safe, affordable housing is filled with barriers:

Affordable units are limited and hard to find
The gap between wages and rent continues to widen
Many landlords refuse to accept Housing Choice Vouchers
Not all eligible individuals receive vouchers due to limited availability
Rental applications from individuals with past evictions or any criminal charges are often rejected without review
Allegations of housing discrimination frequently go unreported or unaddressed

Why Housing Justice Matters

SOPHIA is working to eliminate these barriers and make housing more accessible to all—because when our neighbors have safe and stable homes, our entire community thrives. Our efforts include:

Encouraging landlords to rent to voucher holders by highlighting the benefits of guaranteed, reliable payments—even in uncertain times
Advocating for dignity and inclusion, emphasizing that those who work in Waukesha County deserve the opportunity to live here too
Strengthening communities by promoting housing policies that support fairness, affordability, and access for all

Coalition Building & Action

SOPHIA’s Housing Justice Task Force is an active member of the Waukesha Action Coalition. In March 2024, we helped organize a Landlord Benefits Forum and launched the Provider Collaborative Work Group to improve landlord engagement and education across the county.
Our work continues as we advocate for new affordable housing developments and public policies that support equity, opportunity, and justice in housing.