Press Release: DOA Visit Highlights $10.3 Million Housing Investment for Winnebago County

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary

DOA Visit Highlights $10.3 Million Housing Investment for Winnebago County

Secretary Blumenfeld Toured Neighborhood Investment Fund Projects with Winnebago County Leadership

Oshkosh, Wis. – Today, Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld met with Winnebago County leadership and toured several facilities made possible through a $10.3 million Neighborhood Investment Fund grant from Governor Evers for housing continuum services.  

The Secretary met with Winnebago County Executive Jon Doemel, Day by Day Shelter executive director Molly Butz, Oshkosh Kids Foundation President Will Deppiesse and executive director Julie Dumke, during a tour of the upcoming warming shelter, and the community center at the Tiny House Village in Oshkosh. The two projects are part of six housing continuum proposals funded through the Neighborhood Investment Fund grant for Winnebago County.    

First row, from left: Mike Basford, director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness; Lu Scheer, Homelessness Prevention Services Housing Director at ADVOCAP; Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff; DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld; Gretchen Withers, president of the Day by Day Board of Directors; and Molly Butz, director of the Day by Day Shelter. Second row, from left: Oshkosh Fire Chief Mike Stanley; Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith; and Oshkosh Community Foundation President Bill Wyman.

“When Governor Evers first announced the Neighborhood Investment Fund program just over a year ago, he envisioned long-term impact to help our communities bounce back and thrive. That’s precisely what the housing continuum projects in Winnebago County represent,” said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld. “It’s all about meeting critical community needs, assisting people with dignity and respect, and laying a foundation for stronger communities for years to come.”

“In 2021, the Winnebagoland Housing Coalition released the 'Homeless Continuum Report.' The grant funds have accelerated our ability to prevent homelessness,” said Winnebago County Executive Jon Doemel. “Two years ago, my concern was the report was headed toward the way of most government documents – on a shelf collecting dust. With this grant, we will accomplish all seven recommendations.”  

A stakeholder discussion at the Tiny House Village Community Center in Oshkosh included, clockwise from left: Oshkosh Fire Chief Mike Stanley; Gretchen Withers, Day by Day Shelter Board President; Molly Butz, director of the Day by Day Shelter; Mike Basford, director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness; DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld; Winnebago County Executive Jon Doemel; Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff; Julie Dumke, executive director of the Oshkosh Kids Foundation; and Will Deppiesse, Oshkosh Kids Foundation Board President.

The Neighborhood Investment Fund program was initially announced in August 2021 with additional investments announced in May 2022 and has provided local and Tribal governments with capital investments to meet ongoing community needs, especially in areas impacted by the pandemic. Grants are administered by the Department of Administration and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Governor Evers has recently called for expanding the successful program to meet ongoing workforce challenges around the state, through a $150 million budget proposal, as well as additional investments for affordable housing, civil legal aid, and other housing solutions in his 2023-25 Budget. 

Visit BadgerBounceback.wi.gov to view pandemic-related assistance information as well as the latest data and success stories about how COVID-relief investments are making a difference across the state. For updates on other recovery-related grant opportunities, sign up for the Badger Bounceback update list.