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The Lodge

A homeless shelter in Milwaukee where many of the families in the book stay. 

Stipulation Agreement

A contract that allows renters to avoid eviction, usually by paying back rent.

DNS – Department of Neighborhood Services

An organization that inspects properties and enforces ordinances. They show up regularly throughout the book at the different sites and are not welcome by landlords, since they will find safety violations and write citations. 

SSI – Supplemental Security Income 

Part of Social Security. It is usually for older or disabled people with limited or no income. 

CCAP – Consolidated Court Automation Programs

A free website that catalogs criminal and civil court findings, including traffic tickets, child support disputes, divorce, evictions, and felonies. Dismissed evictions and criminal charges are also displayed. Landlords use it to investigate future renters.

Hypes

A slang term for out-of-work people who are willing to do unskilled jobs for minimal pay. Landlords hire them to fix plumbing or paint units.

Nuisance Call

Some cities passed laws where landlords could be fined if a property generated too many nuisance calls to the police in a 30-day period. Nuisance calls in Milwaukee include people refusing to leave a residence, noise complaints, and domestic violence.

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