MADISON — Wisconsin organizations that provide emergency shelter, transitional residences and extremely low-income housing are encouraged to apply for grants from the WHEDA Foundation.
Administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the WHEDA Foundation grants improve housing for community members with complex challenges such as developmental disabilities, domestic abuse, incomes at or below 30% of the area median income, youth homelessness and chronic mental illness. Grants of up to $40,000 are available in two categories, emergency/transitional housing and permanent housing.
A total of $1,040,000 will be awarded for the 2020 cycle with awards to be announced in December. The grants are for physical improvements such as rehabilitation, accessibility features and new construction. There is no minimum grant size.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations or cooperatives organized under Chapters 181, 185, or 187 of the Wisconsin Statutes; community development, redevelopment and housing authorities; and local units of government, including Native American tribal authorities. Applications are due on Aug. 21.
Complete program details, eligibility requirements and application materials are available at https://www.wheda.com/Housing-Grant-Program/.
The annual housing grant program competition is funded entirely by WHEDA operations and uses no state tax dollars. Organizations receiving the grants include nonprofit agencies, local governments and tribal authorities serving low-income or disadvantaged populations including homeless people, runaways, youth in out-of-home placement, people with alcohol or drug dependencies, people in need of protective services, frail elderly residents and people living with HIV disease, among others.
During the 2019 grant cycle, 41 organizations received a total of $1 million to create or improve 1,098 beds.
Since 1985, the WHEDA Foundation has issued 1,157 awards totaling more than $24,968,000 to housing providers across the state. Established by WHEDA in 1983, the foundation is responsible for receiving and administering housing grant funds on behalf of WHEDA.
Additional information regarding the rural initiative, gap lending and economic development tools will be made available in the weeks ahead as WHEDA continues to adapt and innovate to address changing community needs.
For program inquiries, contact John Vogt at WHEDA.Foundation@wheda.com.