Wisconsin Department of Commerce: DHCD - Programs & Services A-Z -

A-B

Blight Elimination and Brownfields Redevelopment Program (BEBR)
The program is designed to assist local governments, businesses and individuals with blight elimination and assessing or remediating the environmental contamination of an abandoned, idle, or underused facility or site. A redevelopment plan that promotes economic development and has a positive effect on the environment is an essential element of a successful application. Contact Jason Scott at (608) 261-7714.

Community Based Economic Development Program (CBED)
The program makes grant funds available to local governments for economic development planning, and to organizations for development projects, business assistance and business incubator/technology based incubators. Contact Doug Thurlow at (608) 266-7942.

Community Development Projects Program (CDDP)
This program emphasizes the creation of housing and/or economic opportunities. These opportunities can be supported by more than one Division funding source and may involve multiple activities, either specific to a site or to a common goal. There is a focus on development projects which create additional affordable housing units or new jobs. They are projects that will usually occur in conjunction with other community activities including participation by the local unit of government, private sector and other state or federal agencies. Contact Caryn Stone at (608) 267-3682 or Betty Kalscheur (608) 267-6904.

CDBG-Emergency Assistance Program (CDBG-EAP)
The program can assist in communities of less than 50,000 population that are faced with emergency repairs and expenditures related to restoring low/moderate income housing units and/or use of its infrastructure that has suffered damages as a result of natural or other catastrophic events. The community must not have available financial resources to undertake the repairs, replacement, or other restoration. Assistance is available on a continuous basis to respond to emergency situations. Contact Caryn Stone at (608) 267-3682.

CDBG-Public Facilities (CDBG-PF)
A versatile financing tool for general purpose local units of government in need of funds to undertake needed infrastructure and public building projects (excluding buildings for the conduct of government). The Program is designed to enhance the vitality of a community by undertaking public investment that contributes to its overall community and economic development.

CDBG-Planning Grant Program (CDBG-PLN)
This Department's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides up to $25,000 to assist communities in developing specific local and area-wide plans. Applications must provide at least a 25 percent cash match and must address a specific issue or activity. The application form limits the narrative to 2 pages and requests a description of the need for the plan and the area to be addressed. Documents that are primarily engineering studies, design specifications, and other technical reports are not eligible planning activities. Contact Jack Sanderson at (608) 267-0317.

CDBG-Small Cities Housing Program
This program, for small cities (cities, towns, and villages with populations less than 50,000 and counties other than Milwaukee, Waukesha and Dane, support housing and neighborhood improvements benefiting low- and moderate-income households. About $7 million is awarded each year for 18-month grants. Approximately 18 communities are awarded funds through a statewide random selection/needs based process. CDBG funds are used for various housing and neighborhood revitalization activities including housing rehabilitation, acquisition, relocation, demolition of dilapidated structures, and handicap accessibility improvements. Contact Joanna Schumann at (608) 261-6535.

Consolidated Plan
DHCD prepares the state's Consolidated Plan for addressing housing and community development needs. The Plan provides a statistical review of housing conditions in Wisconsin and outlines strategies for providing affordable and special needs housing. The plan is required by HUD and it’s used to certify the consistency of certain federally funded projects and public housing authority plans. DHCD also compiles an annual performance report that summarizes achievements towards meeting Consolidated Plan goals and a Fair Housing Plan. Contact Jeanne Storm at (608) 264-6110.

The Critical Assistance Program (CA)
The funds awarded to a nonprofit agency provide direct financial assistance to help low- and moderate-income households stave off residence eviction or foreclosure. Contact Judy Wilcox at (608) 266-9388.

D-L

Emergency Shelter/Transistional Housing/Homeless Prevention (ESG/THP/HPP)
Funds may be used for homeless prevention activities and essential services, renovation and rehabilitation of shelter facilities and shelter operating costs. The shelter programs may include shelters for victims of domestic violence, runaway adolescents, persons with disabilities as well as generic shelter and transitional housing programs. Any city, county, or private non-profit may apply for funding under an annual competition for its homeless shelter, transitional housing or homeless prevention program. Contact Judy Wilcox at (608) 266-9388.

HCRI Homebuyer Program (HCRI)
The funds provide downpayment/closing cost assistance to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households seeking to own decent affordable housing. Funds are distributed across the state in response to a request for proposal combined with the HRR program. Contact Betty Kalscheur (608) 267-6904

Health Care Professional Loan Assistance Program (HPLAP)
The program repays higher education loans of up to $50,000 for physicians and dentists and up to $25,000 for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dental hygienists, and certified nurse midwives, in return for a 3-year commitment to practice in medical shortage areas in Wisconsin. This program helps high-need communities recruit and retain primary health care providers, strengthen their health infrastructure and improve access to health care for their residents. Contact Padraic Durkin at (608) 267-2737.

Home Homebuyer and Rehabilitation Program (HHR)
Federal funds, available through local grantee agencies, promote homeownership and the conservation of quality owner-occupied and rental housing. The program provides essential home purchase assistance and necessary home rehabilitation, and other vital improvements for dwelling units occupied by low- and moderate-income households. Contact Betty Kalscheur (608) 267-6904

The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
Provides resources and incentives to meet the housing needs of persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or related diseases and their families. Contact Judy Wilcox at (608) 266-9388.

HUD Continuum of Care Supportive Housing Program
The Division participates in the HUD Continuum of Care Supportive Housing program. Proposals submitted each year have garnered from $3.6 million to $5.7 million in grant funds to support a wide variety of transitional and permanent housing and supportive service programs for homeless persons across the state. The funds originate from a national HUD competition and the grant proposal covers 69 counties. The Division’s application process is coordinated with state agencies as well as hundreds of local organizations. Contact Judy Wilcox at (608) 266-9388.

Interest Bearing Real Estate Trust Account Program (IBRETA)
A law requires real estate brokers to establish interest-bearing real estate trust accounts for the deposit of all down payments, earnest money and other trust funds received by the broker and related to the conveyance of real estate. The interest from the IBRETA accounts are remitted to the State and proceeds are used to make grants to organizations that provide shelter or services to homeless individuals or families. The Division augments existing emergency and transitional homeless programs with these funds. Contact Patti Glassburn at (608) 266-8273.

M-Q

Main Street Program
A comprehensive downtown economic revitalization program that emphasizes historic preservation, design, promotional, and economic restructuring activities. Communities are selected through a competitive process. Each community must hire a downtown manager and receive free technical assistance, including business management and design assistance, from the state program and the National Main Street Center for a five-year period. Contact Jim Engle at (608) 267-0766.

Manufactured Housing Rehabilitation & Recycling (MHRR)
The Manufactured Housing Rehabilitation & Recycling (MHRR) program was created in 2008 by the Governor and the Wisconsin Legislature. The State funds the program through fees collected from the titling of manufactured homes. The funds may be used to provide housing assistance to eligible households needing to make critical repairs to their home or to assist municipalities and others to dispose of abandoned manufactured homes in an environmentally sound manner. Contact Megan Shaw at (608) 266-9185.

Projects for Assistance in the Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
Funds services for individuals with serious mental illness, or with co-occurring substance abuse disorders, who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. PATH funds outreach, mental health and substance abuse services, case management, and connects participants to housing, primary health care and job training. Eligible applicants are government or non-profit organizations that provide services in an area with a population of more than 150,000. Contact Donna Wrenn at (608) 264-7625.

R-T

Relocation Plan Review
Under Wisconsin Relocation Law, public agencies and local governments undertaking a publicly-funded activity that displaces persons from their homes, farms, or businesses are required to file a relocation plan with the state’s Relocation Unit. The overall goal is to minimize the hardship to persons affected by the public project. Contact Jack Sanderson at (608) 267-0317.

Rental Housing Development Program (RHD)
This federal funded program provides affordable rental housing for low and very low income households. RHD is designed to assist affordable housing development opportunities for persons at or below 60% of County Median Income (CMI). A special set-aside is available to serve persons at or below 30% of CMI and for use in projects combing HOME and Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Contact Meryl Lesch at (608) 267-6912.

State Shelter Subsidy Grant Program (SSSG)
This program provides up to 50% of an emergency shelter or voucher program's annual operating budget. These funds are available to homeless provider agencies, which need additional funding because of expansion or the inability to obtain funding to continue an existing level of service. Contact Patti Glassburn at (608) 266-8273.

Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA)
Funds provided through local governments, housing authorities and non-profit organizations provide short term rental assistance, in association with support services coordinated by the participating agency, to help homeless persons and to prevent homelessness. Contact Donna Wrenn at (608) 264-7625.

U-Z

Wisconsin Fresh Start Program (WSF)
Funds are awarded to agencies to establish and sustain programs based on the Operation Fresh Start, Inc., service model. The program is designed to provide on-site housing construction and rehabilitation work experience, off-site academic classes and supportive services for at-risk young people - primarily high school dropouts - ages 16-24. Funding sources originate from HUD and several state agencies. Contact Padraic Durkin at (608) 267-2737.

Wisconsin Business Retention and Expansion Study Program (WIBRES)
Wisconsin's economy is a reflection of the business climate within each urban and rural community in the state. While new business attraction can stimulate economic growth, the retention and expansion of existing businesses is vital to maintaining and growing a community and ultimately the state. To aid in strengthening economic development, Commerce provides communities with a survey tool to determine factors that affect business retention and expansion locally. The program is offered free of charge to all qualifying communities in Wisconsin. Contact Geri Petersen at (414) 220-5369.

WIFrontDoor
WIFrontDoor is a web-based resource database program that is available through the internet. The site includes two major components: a listing of Wisconsin homeless service agencies and programs, and a database that allows property owners and managers to advertise properties meeting affordable housing rentals for free. It also allows rental housing seekers to search for available affordable housing units. Contact FrontDoor Help or Melisa Perez at (608) 266-5363 for more information.

Wisconsin Neighborhood Stabilization Program (WNS)
The new Neighborhood Stabilization Program will provide emergency assistance to acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities. The program is authorized under Title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

Wisconsin ServicePoint (WISP)
WISP is a web-enhanced database software program implemented to track the scope of homelessness in Wisconsin, to improve service delivery to homeless persons, and to evaluate the effectiveness of service interventions. Since the site became available more than 700 users working at 145 partner agencies have created hundreds of thousands of client records. Contact Adam Smith at (608) 261-8159.

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