In The News

Turning Strategy into Action, Let's Go!

PLEASE JOIN US! Next RHN Meeting - Thursday, August 8

We Need Your Feedback - WHEDA Loan Updates &

NEW Dane County Technical Assistance

Affordable Housing Spotlight

WHEDA's 2024 Housing Tax Credit Awards

Housing Programs, Resources, & Conferences

Local Housing News



STRATEGY: EXPAND OR CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDS & THE USE OF TIF.

Key Action Items:

• 1.1 Increase private sector, municipal, County and State funding for affordable housing, including grants, beyond what currently exists.

• 1.7 Advocate for local bond financing that supports affordable housing goals.

• 2.2 Update municipal TIF policies to incentivize use of TIF for housing that achieves desired policy objectives (e.g., affordability, equity, sustainability, housing near services and amenities like jobs, school, & transit).

Do you have questions about what actions you can take to address the housing crisis? Please send us an email at regionalplanning@danecounty.gov to discuss your options.

Join us for a discussion and provide feedback to WHEDA’s Rebecca Giroux on their affordable housing loan programs, and hear about their new direct to consumer home rehab program. Then hear from Regional Housing Planner, Alex DeSena, about Dane County Planning Division’s new technical assistance program for comp plan housing chapter updates!

See you this Thursday! ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/94310243246



Glen Grove is a new affordable housing development in Cottage Grove, WI. The property is the first non-senior affordable housing development in Cottage Grove, adding new supply of 100 affordable units. Units range from 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms, and there is a fully accessible playground on site. Units are targeted to households at a range of income levels, from those making 30% of the area median income (AMI), to those who can afford market rate. Check out these photos of the successful project:

WHEDA's 2024 Housing Tax Credits Announced!

In May, Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), announced multifamily housing developments that will soon receive nearly $32.6 million in 2024 Housing Tax Credits to improve access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. These affordable housing developments provide housing for a range of household incomes from 30% to 80% of area median income, as well market rate units.

Seven projects in Dane County were selected for awards:

*Project was also recommend for an award from the Dane County Affordable Housing Development Fund.

The complete list of 2024 Housing Tax Credit recipients is here.  



Housing Programs, Resources, & Conferences

New Home Buyer Education Program - Online!

The Movin’ Out Home Buyer Education Program educates participants about the home buying process and resources available in Wisconsin. It is designed to serve low-income and first-time homebuyers in Wisconsin, including people with disabilities. The program is four online classes and exams, and a one-on-one homeownership counseling session. The online classes are self-paced and can be completed at your convenience.

The course meets the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling. Many down assistance programs require homebuyers to attend training that meets these standards. After completion participants receive a Home Buyer Education certificate.

The four session program costs $60 total. Participants have the option to purchase one session ($15) at a time.

Online registration for the course can be found here. 

WHEDA’s 2024 Housing Grant Program – Apply Now!

WHEDA’s Housing Grant Program competition is now accepting applications. WHEDA and the WHEDA Foundation, Inc. will award $2,000,000 across the state for the development and improvement of housing facilities for people in crisis. Qualifying facilities include emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent housing. A maximum of $50,000 will be awarded per applicant. Non-profits, local governments, housing authorities and Native American Tribal authorities are all eligible to apply.

During the 2023 competition cycle, 53 awards were issues across the state and five were granted to applicants from Dane County. See the list of projects that were funded last year here.

Applications must be electronically submitted no later than August 12, 2024, at 11:59pm. Apply soon!

Free WHEDA First Time Home Buyer Webinar

WHEDA is offering a webinar for prospective home buyers to learn the basics of home buying. Webinar will cover the process, terms, requirements and benefits of becoming a WHEDA borrower through WHEDA’s six steps to homeownership. Does not fulfill pre-purchase homebuyer education. Contact Sales@WHEDA.com with questions.

The webinar is being offered on:

1.      August 20 – Register Here

2.      September 17 – Register Here

3.      October 22 – Register Here

Free Expungement Clinic with Urban League of Greater Madison

Criminal records can be a barrier preventing renters from accessing stable housing. Criminal record expungement can help alleviate this barrier by removing certain charges from an individual’s record. Please share this clinic as a resource to anyone who may benefit. 

This free clinic will offer:

• FREE criminal record reviews with an attorney.
• Advice regarding your eligibility for arrest removal and correction, expungement, and pardon.
• Assistance with paperwork and filing court documents IF eligible.
• Information about your rights related to employment and criminal records.
• Advice for answering job application and job interview questions about your background.
• Job leads & information about FREE career training opportunities.

The clinic is being offered on:

1.      September 25 – Register Here

2.      October 24 – Register Here

3.      November 19 – Register Here



*Or call (608) 729-1200 to register

Wisconsin American Planning Association (APA)

Annual Conference, September 12 & 13, 2024

Madison Concourse Hotel

Online registration is open for APA Wisconsin’s annual conference, Forward! Evolving Our Approach to Economic Development, Equity, and Resilience! Join colleagues and planners from across Wisconsin to learn about unique approaches to advancing local solutions to nation-wide issues.

Focus areas include housing access and affordability, mobility, climate resilience, and economic development. The agenda includes housing related sessions covering zoning, racial equity in housing affordability, TIF Affordable Housing Extension funds, and more. Read the session descriptions here, and about the conference tours here. Most tours charge an extra fee and require pre-registration, so be sure to plan ahead! Click here to register now!

Sun Prairie Housing Coalition Receives Award from City Council!

In June, the City of Sun Prairie’s City Council awarded the Sun Prairie Housing Coalition with the Charles D. Ashley Award for citizens doing the most good in the community! The City Council selects a winner each year, and chose to highlight the education and advocacy work that the coalition is doing to help address the housing crisis in Sun Prairie. Congratulations, Sun Prairie Housing Coalition members!

Are you interested in learning more about housing needs in Sun Prairie? Join the coalition of local organizations, businesses, city staff, and residents! To get involved, email sunprairiehousingcoalition@gmail.com.

Check out Sun Prairie's Housing Website here.

More news…

May 19, 2024, Wisconsin State Journal – Dane County Habitat for Humanity looks to triple the number of homes it offers

May 29, 2024, WORT – Home Prices In Dane County Second-Highest In State

July 8, 2024, WORT – What is Dane County’s Housing Strategy?

July 9, 2024, HNG News – County study finds more housing needed in Cottage Grove

July 12, 2024, WKOW News – New affordable housing project in Dane County hopes to tackle housing crisis

July 25, 2024, The Star – Sun Prairie Housing Committee weighs down payment assistance program

Get Involved and Help Solve the Housing Crisis! Click the Postcard Below to Watch the RHS Summary Video!

Questions?

Send an email to regionalhousing@danecounty.gov for questions or more info on the Dane County Regional Housing Strategy.