Dec 20, 2024, 8:13 AM CST
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MADISON, WI- (WGBW) – Eight organizations in Brown, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties will receive almost $325,000 in grants from The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
WHEDA and Governor Tony Evers announced 52 organizations statewide will share $2 million in grants from the WHEDA Foundation to improve emergency shelter, transitional residences, and extremely low-income housing.
“Expanding access to affordable housing statewide continues to be one of our top priorities, and we’re working to make sure folks have a safe, warm place to stay and a roof over their heads at night, including folks who are facing difficult circumstances,” said Gov. Evers. “These grants provide critical resources to those who need them and will help foster safer spaces for Wisconsinites who are unhoused, unsafe, and working to overcome challenges to help them get back on their feet.”
The announcement builds on work by the Evers Administration to expand access to safe, reliable, and affordable housing. This round of funding focuses on the most vulnerable populations in the state.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that all Wisconsinites have access to safe, stable housing to overcome homelessness, deal with mental health conditions, substance abuse, and partner violence,” said WHEDA CEO and Executive Director Elmer Moore Jr. “These grants will help those dealing with these situations in ways that will allow them to thrive, rather than just survive.”
Administered by WHEDA, the WHEDA Foundation grants improve housing for community members with complex needs, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people experiencing intimate partner violence, individuals with incomes at or below 30 percent of the area median income, youth experiencing homelessness, and people with mental and behavioral health conditions.
Housing grant awards
| Applicant | Proposed Award | Project City | Project County | Beds orUnits | Project Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Transitional Housing Category | |||||
| Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Inc. | $50,000 | Oshkosh | Winnebago | 64 | Masonry repair and window caulking on 192 windows. |
| Day-by-Day Shelter | $13,960 | Oshkosh | Winnebago | 50 | Repair showers and construct a new sidewalk. |
| Ecumenical Partnership for Housing | $44,615 | Green Bay | Brown | 50 | Adding air conditioning to 10 transitional homes and replacing a furnace. |
| Pillars, Inc. | $50,000 | Appleton | Outagamie | 80 | New flooring in two common spaces |
| Subtotal | $158,575 | 244 | |||
| Permanent Housing Category | |||||
| Covey, Inc. | $50,000 | Oshkosh | Winnebago | 4 | Construction, Landscaping, & furnishing of accessible four-bedroom licensed Adult Family Home. |
| Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity | $50,000 | Green Bay | Brown | 14 | Construction of the Habitat Homestead, a 14-unit development with the potential to provide housing for up to 92 people. |
| Neighborhood Housing Services of Green Bay, Inc. | $50,000 | Green Bay | Brown | 18 | Installation of 18 new high-efficiency furnaces. Removal and disposal of 18 failing furnaces. |
| New Hope Center, Inc. | $16,500 | Chilton | Calumet | 4 | New roof and gutters on the adult family home and attached garage. |
| Subtotal | $166,500 | 40 | |||
| Grand totals | $324,575 | 284 | |||
This year, the Foundation’s 2024 Housing Grant Program is funded by $2 million from WHEDA reserves. Providers in 29 counties received awards ranging from $6,826 to $50,000, the maximum award available. Projects involve installing security features, increasing energy efficiency measures, and making existing facilities more accessible for those with mobility challenges. Many projects also fund large improvements, including roof replacements and overhauling heating and cooling systems. According to WHEDA, this year’s grants will create or improve 1,674 beds and housing units across the state; 284 of them in Northeast Wisconsin. The investments at the community level also support economic development by creating valued construction jobs and ensuring folks have the housing supports they need to be well.
A complete list of the 2024 grant award recipients and projects is available here. Grants are awarded in two categories: emergency/transitional housing or permanent housing.
Organizations receiving the grants include nonprofit agencies, local governments, and Tribal authorities serving low-income or disadvantaged populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, runaways, youth in out-of-home placement, individuals struggling with substance use disorder, people in need of protective services, and aging and older residents, among others.
