WHEDA Foundation 2026 Housing Grant Program Now Open

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 Housing Grant Program. Up to $2 million is available for physical improvements to emergency shelters and transitional residences statewide, including rehabilitation, accessibility upgrades, and new construction. Applications are available on wheda.com and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Established in 1985 in response to reduced federal housing funding, the WHEDA Foundation Housing Grant Program is funded entirely by WHEDA operations without state tax dollars. The program serves low-income and disadvantaged populations statewide, helping to maintain essential housing resources. Since its inception, the WHEDA Foundation has granted almost $35 million for housing facility improvements.

“The Housing Grant Program reflects WHEDA's commitment to addressing Wisconsin's affordable housing challenges,” said Elmer Moore, Jr., WHEDA CEO & Executive Director. “These grants fill an important space in ciritcal housing organizations' budgets to make crucial repairs and accessibility improvements. WHEDA created this program to help community partners preserve safe, accessible housing and better meet the needs of people and families across Wisconsin.” 

Eligible applicants include nonprofits and cooperatives (Chapters 181, 185, or 187 of the Wisconsin Statutes), community development and housing authorities, local governments, and Tribal authorities. The Housing Grant Program supports projects serving individuals with disabilities, survivors of intimate partner violence, households at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), youth experiencing homelessness, and individuals with mental or behavioral health conditions.

In 2025, 59 organizations received $2 million to create or improve 1,515 beds or units. The list of 2025 Housing Grant Program recipients is available on wheda.com.