Workforce Housing Initiative

In 2006 the Wisconsin Department of Commerce partnered with WHEDA, Pitney Bowes, and the Appleton Housing Authority in a first of its kind program to provide opportunities to enable more families to achieve the American dream of home ownership. Pitney Bowes supports home ownership by providing eligible employees a $5,000 deferred and forgivable loan to purchase a home. The business works with Appleton Housing to provide employees with comprehensive homebuyer counseling. WHEDA is providing the first-mortgage financing and Commerce is providing down payment and rehabilitation assistance for homebuyers to ensure monthly payments are affordable and that any needed repairs are completed.

December 17, 2007, at the Appleton Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Annual Meeting the collaboration of Diane Schobert (WHEDA), Betty Kalscheur (WI Dept of Commerce), and Pitney Bowes were recognized with a 2007 Community Partnership Distinguished Service Award.

-- Betty Kalscheur