Local Organizations to Receive Funds for Emergency Shelters

Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 -- 11:01 AM

Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority CEO and Executive Director Elmer Moore Jr., announced that 54 organizations will receive $2 million in grants from the WHEDA Foundation to provide emergency shelter, transitional residences, and extremely low-income housing.

This year, the Foundation’s annual Housing Grant Program is funded by $1 million from WHEDA reserves and an additional $1 million that was provided by Gov. Evers using American Rescue Plan Act funding.

WHEDA received 94 applications requesting more than $3.6 million through the housing grant process this year, an indication of the high demand and need in Wisconsin. According to WHEDA, this year’s $2 million in grants will create or improve 1,764 beds and housing units across the state.

The investments at the community level also support economic recovery by creating valued construction jobs. Providers in 29 counties received awards ranging from $2,500 to $50,000, the maximum award available.

Some local establishments receiving funds include the Personal Development Center in Marshfield. They’ll be receiving $50,000 for carpet replacement, install commercial grade main door and upgrade bathrooms to be ADA compliant.

The Wausau Salvation Army is receiving $50,000 for bathroom repair and renovations. The Osseo Housing Inc. is receiving $50,000 for replacing a fire alarm system. Western Dairlyand, EOC, Inc. is receiving $9,790 to replace three furnaces.

Eau Claire Housing, Inc. is receiving $50,000 to replace the asphalt parking lot, cement work for three entry pads, five sidewalks with curb and six curb cuts for accessibility ramps.

Finally, the Eau Claire Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, Inc. is receiving $50,000 for new steel front entry doors and storm screen doors, a rehab walkway, and excavating existing asphalt in the parking lot and repave and paint.

Administered by WHEDA, the WHEDA Foundation grants improve housing for community members with complex needs, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people experiencing intimate partner violence, individuals with incomes at or below 30 percent of the area median income, youth experiencing homelessness, and people with mental and behavioral health conditions.

Including this year, the WHEDA Foundation has issued 1,286 awards totaling nearly $29 million to housing providers across the state since 1985. Established by WHEDA in 1983, the Foundation is responsible for receiving and administering housing grant funds on behalf of WHEDA. Grants are awarded in one of two categories: emergency/transitional housing or permanent housing.

Organizations receiving the grants include nonprofit agencies, local governments, and Tribal authorities serving low-income or disadvantaged populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, runaways, youth in out-of-home placement, individuals struggling with substance use disorder, people in need of protective services, aging and older residents, and people living with HIV, among others.

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