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Who We Are
WHEDA works closely with lenders, developers, local government, nonprofits, community groups, and others to implement its low-cost financing programs.
Mission
WHEDA’s mission is to stimulate the state’s economy and improve the quality of life for Wisconsin residents by providing affordable housing and business financing products.
Vision
We provide the tools to help people and communities realize their hopes and dreams.
Values
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority staff maintain a strong set of values that guide us in meeting our mission:
People: We need each other to be successful; we understand the value of teamwork. We respect individual differences and help each other reach our highest potential.
Personal Responsibility: All staff at all levels are accountable for their work and behavior.
Communication: An open exchange of information is the foundation of our achievements.
Customer Driven: Satisfied customers are a measure of our success.
Excellence: Excellence is the benchmark of each day's work.
Financial Viability: Financial stability and sustainable growth are necessary to meet our mission.
Ethics: Customer confidence and faith are the result of never compromising high ethical standards.
Innovation: Our success depends upon forward thinking, adaptability, and risk taking.
Collaboration: Our success depends on our partners and our ability to help them succeed and meet their mission.
50 Years of WHEDA
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1972Wisconsin Legislature creates state housing authority and appropriates $250,000 to start operations.
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1973
Program operations begin.
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1974
First bond offering raises $27 million for multifamily loans.
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1975
First housing authority to market bonds to finance Section 8 housing.
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1976
First housing authority to have newly constructed units in occupancy.
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1977
First housing authority to coordinate housing with HUD and Farmers Home Administration.
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1978
Authority-financed developments required to have units designed for people with disabilities.
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1979
Repays $250,000 in initial seed money appropriated by the state.
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1980
Issues first bonds for homeownership and single family rehabilitation loans.
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1981
Receives $75 million in additional bonding authority for housing rehabilitation loans.
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1982
Sells $100 million in mortgage revenue bonds to support first-time home buyers.
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1983
Mission expands to include business and agriculture financing.
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1984
WHEDA Foundation begins grant program to support non-profit housing providers.
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1985
Launches the CROP loan guarantee to help cash-strapped farmers.
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1986
Offers loan program to support women- and minority-owned businesses.
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1987
Becomes first and only Wisconsin entity to administer federal housing tax credits.
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1988
Offers a first-of-its-kind drought relief loan guarantee for farmers.
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1989
Begins administering federal Section 8 rent vouchers.
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1990
Surpasses $2 billion in total assets.
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1991
Offers long-term financing along with federal housing tax credits.
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1992
Leads the nation with over 4,500 single family loans financed by mortgage revenue bonds.
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1993
The Wisconsin Preservation Trust is formed to help preserve Section 8 units as affordable.
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1994
First housing authority to offer 97% LTV mortgages with private mortgage insurance.
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1995
State Legislature permanently extends CROP financing for farmers.
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1996
Introduces FARM loan guarantee to help farmers expand operations.
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1997
Lindsay Heights partnership begins for Milwaukee neighborhood redevelopment.
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1998
Provides temporary housing grants for flood and tornado victims.
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1999
Closes more than $52 million in multifamily loans.
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2000
Secures mortgage revenue bonding and tax credit programs with legislation to increase caps.
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2001
First housing authority to launch an online mortgage application system.
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2002
Closes more than $100 million in multifamily loans.
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2003
Increases African American mortgage lending by 27%.
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2004
First housing authority to be awarded federal New Markets Tax Credits.
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2005
Record year with over $560 million in mortgage lending.
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2006
Invests $4 million in Milwaukee's Metcalfe Park Neighborhood lease-to-purchase program.
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2007
Awards housing tax credits on Tribal land.
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2008
Launches WisconsinForeclosureResource.com to help homeowners.
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2009
Receives $139 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to advance housing.
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2010
First housing authority to offer a mortgage product in partnership with Fannie Mae.
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2011
Awarded $22.4 million in State Small Business Credit Initiative funds.
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2012
Commits $100 million to Transform Milwaukee initiative.
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2013
Announces Tax Advantage Mortgage Credit Certificate program.
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2014
Launches no-fee loan guarantee to help Milwaukee small businesses.
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2015
Introduces Veterans Affordable Loan Opportunity Rate mortgage program.
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2016
Receives $5.47 million Capital Magnet Fund grant to increase affordable housing.
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2017
Forms LISC partnership to expand small business financing resources.
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2018
Begins administering the state housing tax credit program.
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2019
Helps over 3,700 individuals and families achieve homeownership.
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2020
Commits $10 million to rural affordable workforce housing.
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2021
Forms CSH partnership to advance supportive housing.
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2022
Finances first-of-its-kind supportive housing projects for farmworkers and Veterans.
