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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

  • 1972
    Wisconsin Legislature creates state housing authority and appropriates $250,000 to start operations.
     
  • 1973

    Program operations begin.

  • 1974

    First bond offering raises $27 million for multifamily loans.

  • 1975

    First housing authority to market bonds to finance Section 8 housing.

  • 1976

    First housing authority to have newly constructed units in occupancy.

  • 1977

    First housing authority to coordinate housing with HUD and Farmers Home Administration.

  • 1978

    Authority-financed developments required to have units designed for people with disabilities.

    1978 Initiates requirement on all WHFA-financed developments to have units designed for the physically disabled.

  • 1979

    Repays $250,000 in initial seed money appropriated by the state.

  • 1980

    Issues first bonds for homeownership and single family rehabilitation loans.

    1980 Wheda Project

  • 1981

    Receives $75 million in additional bonding authority for housing rehabilitation loans.

  • 1982

    Sells $100 million in mortgage revenue bonds to support first-time home buyers.

    1982 WHEDA Project

  • 1983

    Mission expands to include business and agriculture financing.

  • 1984

    WHEDA Foundation begins grant program to support non-profit housing providers.

  • 1985

    Launches the CROP loan guarantee to help cash-strapped farmers.

  • 1986

    Offers loan program to support women- and minority-owned businesses.

    1986 WHEDA Projects

  • 1987

    Becomes first and only Wisconsin entity to administer federal housing tax credits.

  • 1988

    Offers a first-of-its-kind drought relief loan guarantee for farmers.

  • 1989

    Begins administering federal Section 8 rent vouchers.

  • 1990

    Surpasses $2 billion in total assets.

  • 1991

    Offers long-term financing along with federal housing tax credits.

    1991 WHEDA Project

  • 1992

    Leads the nation with over 4,500 single family loans financed by mortgage revenue bonds.

  • 1993

    The Wisconsin Preservation Trust is formed to help preserve Section 8 units as affordable.

    1993 WHEDA Project

  • 1994

    First housing authority to offer 97% LTV mortgages with private mortgage insurance.

  • 1995

    State Legislature permanently extends CROP financing for farmers.

  • 1996

    Introduces FARM loan guarantee to help farmers expand operations.

  • 1997

    Lindsay Heights partnership begins for Milwaukee neighborhood redevelopment.

    1997 WHEDA Project

  • 1998

    Provides temporary housing grants for flood and tornado victims.

  • 1999

    Closes more than $52 million in multifamily loans.

    1999 WHEDA Project

  • 2000

    Secures mortgage revenue bonding and tax credit programs with legislation to increase caps.

  • 2001

    First housing authority to launch an online mortgage application system.

  • 2002

    Closes more than $100 million in multifamily loans.

    2002 WHEDA Project

  • 2003

    Increases African American mortgage lending by 27%.

  • 2004

    First housing authority to be awarded federal New Markets Tax Credits.

  • 2005

    Record year with over $560 million in mortgage lending.

  • 2006

    Invests $4 million in Milwaukee's Metcalfe Park Neighborhood lease-to-purchase program.

    2006 WHEDA Project

  • 2007

    Awards housing tax credits on Tribal land.

  • 2008

    Launches WisconsinForeclosureResource.com to help homeowners.

  • 2009

    Receives $139 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to advance housing.

  • 2010

    First housing authority to offer a mortgage product in partnership with Fannie Mae.

  • 2011

    Awarded $22.4 million in State Small Business Credit Initiative funds.

    2011 WHEDA Project

  • 2012

    Commits $100 million to Transform Milwaukee initiative.

  • 2013

    Announces Tax Advantage Mortgage Credit Certificate program.

  • 2014

    Launches no-fee loan guarantee to help Milwaukee small businesses.

  • 2015

    Introduces Veterans Affordable Loan Opportunity Rate mortgage program.

  • 2016

    Receives $5.47 million Capital Magnet Fund grant to increase affordable housing.

    2016 WHEDA Project

  • 2017

    Forms LISC partnership to expand small business financing resources.

  • 2018

    Begins administering the state housing tax credit program.

  • 2019

    Helps over 3,700 individuals and families achieve homeownership.

    2016 WHEDA Project

  • 2020

    Commits $10 million to rural affordable workforce housing.

    2020 WHEDA Project

  • 2021

    Forms CSH partnership to advance supportive housing.

    2021 WHEDA Project

  • 2022

    Finances first-of-its-kind supportive housing projects for farmworkers and Veterans.

#50YearsofWHEDA