WHEDA Foundation opens 2020 housing grant cycle

$1 million available for emergency and extremely low-income housing

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 percent 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.

“Throughout Wisconsin, community organizations play an essential role in providing safe, affordable housing for people in desperate need of a place to live,” said Joaquín Altoro, WHEDA CEO. “This year marks the 36^th year the WHEDA Foundation has provided financial support to address these unmet housing needs in our communities. During these challenging times, we know the need is greater than ever.”

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, 2020.Complete program details, eligibility requirements and application materials are available at https://www.wheda.com/Housing-Grant-Program/. For program inquiries, please contact John Vogt at WHEDA.Foundation@wheda.com.

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. Click here to see a complete list of the 2019 grant award recipients.

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.

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ABOUT WHEDA

For more than 45 years, WHEDA has worked to provide low-cost financing for housing and small business development in Wisconsin. Since 1972, WHEDA has financed more than 75,000 affordable rental units, helped more than 133,000 families purchase a home and provided more than 29,000 small business and agricultural loan guarantees. WHEDA is a self-supporting public corporation that receives no tax dollars for its operations. For more information on WHEDA programs, visit wheda.com or call 800-334-6873.