WHEDA Foundation announces 2017 Housing Grant Program competition $500,000 available for special-needs housing

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and the WHEDA Foundation, Inc. announce the availability of grant funds through the 2017 WHEDA Foundation Housing Grant Program competition. 

Grant funds totaling $500,000 will be awarded to support the development and improvement of housing facilities for low-income persons with special needs. The funds will support two separate housing competitions: an emergency/transitional housing category and a permanent housing category. 

“WHEDA is extremely proud to financially support special-needs housing providers who perform invaluable service to persons in crisis,” said WHEDA Executive Director Wyman Winston. “I strongly encourage housing providers all across the state to apply for the WHEDA Foundation Housing Grants and help WHEDA in our ongoing effort to fund quality, safe, affordable housing.”

Beneficiaries of this program include: the homeless, runaway youth, youth in out of home placement, veterans, alcohol or drug dependent persons, persons in need of protective services, domestic abuse victims, developmentally disabled, low-income or frail elderly persons, chronically mentally ill, physically impaired or disabled, people living with HIV disease, and persons without access to traditional housing. 

“WHEDA’s Foundation Housing Grants are a critical component to our mission,” said William Martin, Senior Program Officer for the WHEDA Foundation. “Not only do the grants make significant upgrades to special-needs housing, improving the lives and safety of residents, they also help create construction jobs in our communities.”

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.

Since 1985, the WHEDA Foundation has issued 1,058 awards totaling $22,968,000 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. 

Applications are due on May 5, 2017. The maximum grant award available per application is $25,000.  For more information about the WHEDA Foundation Housing Grant Program competition and to view the application materials, go to www.wheda.com/Housing-Grant-Program/. 

For 45 years, WHEDA, as an independent state authority, has provided low-cost financing for housing and small business development in Wisconsin.  Since 1972, WHEDA has financed more than 84,000 affordable rental units, helped more than 122,000 families purchase a home and made more than 29,000 small business and agricultural loan guarantees.  For more information on WHEDA programs, visit wheda.com or call 800-334-6873.