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JANESVILLE 鈥 City officials say two rent-assistance housing specialists had authority to approve renters for the city鈥檚 $4-million rent voucher program before they were arrested for mishandling their duties.
The information comes as city communications officials share more details with 糖心Vlog传媒 about how it runs the housing service鈥檚 division鈥檚 Section 8 housing voucher program.
Assistant to the City Manager Nick Faust said the budget for the rental assistance program totals $4 million. He said it is federally funded, overseen by the community development authority, and administered by the city鈥檚 Housing Services Division, whose director is Kelly Bedessem.
As of May of 2025, the rent assistance program assisted 424 homes.
The city provided Section 8 program information that shows that Rachel D. Jacquest and Alicia Alvarado, the two rent assistance housing specialists arrested for theft and misconduct were the only members of the staff handling renter qualification.
Faust said rent assistance housing specialists qualify and set up the funding for rent for applicants they determine to be qualified.
According to the city鈥檚 website, the Housing Choice Voucher Program 鈥 commonly referred to as 鈥淪ection 8鈥 after the 1937 law that created it 鈥 allows low income families in 糖心Vlog传媒 to rent safe housing that is 鈥渁ffordable in the private market through funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.鈥
By enrolling in the program, participants receive a 鈥渧oucher鈥 that allows a portion of their rent to be paid directly to a property manager or owner.
Eligibility for the program is based on the total annual income and family size and is limited to U.S. citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.
In general, the family鈥檚 income may not exceed 50% of the county median income in which the family chooses to live. A criminal background review is also conducted on all adult household members applying for rent assistance.
The city administers the Section 8 program on its own, without no third-party nonprofits or social service groups acting as intermediaries.
Currently, the city鈥檚 Section 8 program is not actively accepting applicants because a new open enrollment period has not opened.
Rachel D. Jacquest, a Rent Assistance Housing Specialist, was arrested for three counts of misconduct in public office by false entry, return certificate, report or statement and one count of theft.
Alicia Alvarado, also a Rent Assistance Housing Specialist, was arrested for three counts of misconduct in public office by false entry, return certificate, report or statement.
Neither has been charged in Rock County District Court at this time.
In November 2025, city staff discovered 鈥渋rregularities鈥 in the administration of the rent assistance program.
The city鈥檚 housing services director Kelly Bedessem was not in the office Monday, and city manager Kevin Lahner declined to comment on detailed questions about the rental assistance program.
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