Supportive housing webinar series kicks off Tuesday 2-23

MADISON – A four-part webinar series on supportive housing gets underway starting Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 9:30 a.m.

The free, 90-minute interactive sessions are open to all through a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and Corporation for Supportive Housing to expand the supply of affordable, supportive housing in Wisconsin. Participants may choose a single event or attend all four sessions.
In Wisconsin, residents with mental health needs, physical challenges and substance use recovery are among those facing great difficulties in finding affordable housing. The shortage of affordable, supportive housing affects rural and urban communities alike.

Housing is critical to the health and wellness of individuals and by connecting affordable housing with supportive services, WHEDA and CSH aim to create lasting benefits for communities statewide. On any given day in Wisconsin, more than 4,700 elderly residents, 2,100 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 740 child welfare involved families and 420 transitional aged youth are in need of supportive housing, based on CSH data.

The webinars will connect developers, community service providers and other housing professionals with training focused on the basics of supportive housing, integrated housing models, supportive services and property management. The sessions include content to build understanding of the racial disparities and institutional barriers that affect housing for people facing challenges of homelessness, disabilities and poverty.

For details and to register for the free, 90-minute events, follow the links below.

• Supportive Housing 101, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3263166206185817099
• Integrated Housing Models, Tuesday, March 23, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6327435843566730508
• Supportive Services, Tuesday, April 20, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5516664765339808782
• Property Management in Supportive Housing, Tuesday, May 25, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4832138512700597006

In addition to the training opportunities, WHEDA and CSH will implement a statewide survey to better understand areas of greatest need for supportive housing and the biggest challenges in meeting those needs. WHEDA also will initiate a first-of-its-kind Wisconsin Supportive Housing Institute to provide technical assistance to developers and supportive housing providers as they navigate the complex process of developing affordable housing with access to supportive services. The institute is expected to reduce the timeline for supportive housing by improving planning and development.

To provide additional financing for housing with supportive services, WHEDA increased the preference scoring for these housing projects in the 2021-22 round of federal and state tax credit applications through the Qualified Allocation Plan. To keep up with information about WHEDA resources, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and sign up to receive emails here.

ABOUT WHEDA

For more than 48 years, WHEDA has worked to provide low-cost financing for housing and small business development in Wisconsin. Since 1972, WHEDA has financed more than 78,000 affordable rental units, helped more than 135,000 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.

ABOUT CSH
CSH is a Community Development Financial Institution dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive through affordable housing and community-based services. CSH has provided more than $1 billion in loans, grants, project assistance and advocacy creating access to 335,000 homes for those who need housing and important services to achieve stability and transform their lives.