Press Release: Homeownership Month Proclamation Highlights Ongoing Support for Wisconsin Homeowners

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary-designee

Homeownership Month Proclamation Highlights Ongoing Support for Wisconsin Homeowners

Assistance Programs Still Available for Households in Need

Madison, Wis. – Governor Evers has proclaimed June National Homeownership Month, calling attention to existing barriers to homeownership for Wisconsin families. The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), in conjunction with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), are sharing information about programs to help first-time homebuyers as well as established homeowners to be able to stay in their homes. Many programs exist to support homeownership for Wisconsin residents, including down payment and mortgage assistance, help with utilities, weatherization, and more.

“As we mark Homeownership Month in Wisconsin, we want residents to know that programs are available to help with water, energy, internet costs, mortgage, and more if you qualify. We’re grateful for the support from Governor Evers to make sure that Wisconsin homeowners can continue to bounce back,” said Department of Administration Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld.  

Ongoing programs and services include:

• Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) - Provides financial assistance to low-income households to restore disconnected water services and prevent future disconnection.
• Housing Cost Reduction Initiative Program (HCRI) – Helps eligible homebuyers purchase affordable homes and prevent foreclosure.
• Weatherization Assistance Program – Provides free energy-saving upgrades to eligible households; helping families reduce costs and save energy.
• Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH) - A new statewide program that assists Wisconsin homeowners with overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and more.
• Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) - Provides one-time heating season assistance with heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations.
• Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) – Offers online resources and webinars to first-time home buyers, including helping Wisconsinites learn how to purchase a home in six simple steps.

For more than 50 years, WHEDA has provided low-cost mortgages to help more than 137,600 individuals and families realize the dream of homeownership. “Owning a home provides access for many families to start creating generational wealth. This effort builds and sustains strong communities throughout Wisconsin,” said WHEDA CEO Elmer Moore, Jr. “We provide resources and tools to help remove barriers for those that believe homeownership is out of their reach. WHEDA is building stronger communities with every home mortgage.”

The DOA Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources (DEHCR) annually supports thousands of Wisconsin homeowners with a variety of services. Since July 2021, over 4,100 households received weatherization services, including nearly 3,000 homeowners.  In addition, between April 2021 and March 2022, over 400 households received housing rehabilitation and close to 500 households received assistance with affordable housing through rehabilitation and Community Development Block Grant programs, while 155 homebuyers received assistance through the HCRI program.

The Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program has awarded over $3 million to date to support Wisconsin homeowners at risk for foreclosure. Applications are still open at homeownerhelp.wi.gov. The DOA has partnered with Wisconsin Community Action agencies, Energy Services, Inc., and Take Root Wisconsin to process applications and work directly with lenders and providers on overdue arrears.

“Owning a home not only builds financial security, but also creates stronger communities across our state. Yet, many Wisconsinites struggled to pay bills and stay in their homes as a result of the pandemic,” said State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski. “I am proud of the work we did with the Treasurer’s Homeownership Task Force that resulted in the connections and partnerships needed to launch the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program. Whether it’s someone who fell behind on their mortgage payments because they lost their job due to COVID-19, or someone who missed a property tax payment and is struggling to catch up, Wisconsinites need this important assistance to avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.”