Because of a new real estate-listing Web site, there is help on the way for homeless people, college students and anyone else in need of low-income housing in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Commerce has created an online database that lists 100,000 low-cost housing complexes statewide, according to Tony Hozeny, spokesman for the department. The database can be accessed at www.wifrontdoor.org.

"The new Web site will offer an opportunity for prospective renters to find new properties," Hozeny said. "It also gives a place for landlords to display their properties."

He said the Web site, which was established in January, allows easy access to both renters and landlords.

"The thing that is best about the site is you do not need to register, you do not have to provide any personal information, and you still get a comprehensive list of a wide variety of low-income houses," Hozeny said.

Registering with the Web site does make it easier for people who do not have regular access to a computer, however. Registering with the site allows the viewer to have easier access to properties he or she has looked at in the past, according to Hozeny.

A Web site like this could help put families into affordable housing, according to Maureen Martin, director of residential services for the Salvation Army.

"The biggest problem we face regarding low-income housing is finding suitable homes for families," Martin said.

She said there is a two- to three-year waiting list for families in need of low-income housing, and the problem is inflating homeless numbers in Milwaukee.

Currently, Milwaukee has the 12th highest homelessness rate in the country. The Open Gate, a Milwaukee transitional living center for the homeless, estimates that 2,000 Milwaukee residents are homeless.

The Department of Commerce's site allows the viewer to search for houses under a wide range of categories, including handicap accessibility, price, location, size and availability.

"We offer a wide range of locations depending on where you want to live," Hozeny said. "You can even search for different areas within a city."

Martin said the Salvation Army has had some success in providing low-income housing for a portion of its clients, but there is still a lot of work to do.

"We have found success placing our elderly and disabled clients," Martin said, "but the key problem still remains finding houses for low-income families."

While this site will primarily serve low-income families, it serves more than one purpose, Hozeny said.

"Not only will this site help low-income families who want to move to a nicer apartment, but it can also be used to serve college-aged kids moving away from their parents for the first time," Hozeny said.

He said the site receives 100 to 400 hits per day.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on May 2 2005.