WIFrontDoor Website Use Up 25 Percent

For Immediate Release: September 14, 2007
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661

MADISON - Use of WIFrontDoor, a free affordable housing search and services website operated by the Department of Commerce, has seen a usage increase of 25 percent over the level from the same period in 2006. Website usage is now approaching 9,000 hits a month.

"We've very encouraged by the numbers from this summer," said Commerce Secretary Mary P. Burke. "WIFrontDoor is a great tool for Wisconsin residents to utilize when looking for affordable housing and services within the State of Wisconsin."

The website wifrontdoorhousing.org which went on-line in January of 2005 is a free, safe, centralized location that provides quality affordable rental housing property listings and services for the state's lower income population. To date, there are over 115,000 Wisconsin rental units listed on the site.

Unlike a standard classified ad, WIFrontDoor allows landlords to enter a myriad of information about the property, including full descriptions, photos, and maps. Then, individuals, social service agencies, housing authorities, governmental agencies, etc. can view and download information 24 hours a day, seven days a week - wherever there is access to the Internet.

Commerce's goal for the site is for WIFrontDoor to become the first place that renters look to find affordable housing in Wisconsin. According to officials, the housing component, coupled with homelessness service information in another, provides the most comprehensive collection of resources to aid the homeless in the nation, and has become a model for other states.

For more information on WIFrontDoor, contact Melisa Perez, Commerce, at (608) 266-5363 or mperez@commerce.state.wi.us.

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