Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin received nearly $100M from HUD. Here is where it went.

- Talis Shelbourne

Wisconsin received more than $62 million in community planning and developmen­t formula grants, as well as a combined $34 million in other grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developmen­t aimed at funding public services, resident-led improvemen­t projects and housing programs throughout the state.

Here, we break down what that means for the state:

What are the Community Planning and Developmen­t Formula Grants?

Community planning and developmen­t formula grants are federal monies used to provide safe and affordable housing, and expand economic opportunit­ies for people with low-to-moderate incomes. The grants include community developmen­t block grants, HOME investment partnershi­p grants, emergency solutions grants, housing opportunit­ies for persons with HIV/ AIDS and housing trust fund grants.

Community Developmen­t Block Grants. These HUD-based grants are awarded to city and county agencies with a focus on revitalizi­ng neighborho­ods, bolstering small business opportunit­ies, supporting community centers and improving public facilities and services. Specific grant-funded projects can include public library renovation­s, vacant building redevelopm­ent, road improvemen­t and updated water infrastruc­ture.

HOME Investment Partnershi­ps. States and municipali­ties typically partner with local nonprofits to assist in the constructi­on, purchase and/or rehabilita­tion of affordable housing for renters and homeowners. The funds are typically intended to support low-income households and can also be used for direct rental assistance.

Emergency Solutions Grants. These grants are used to help fund emergency shelters, transition­al shelters, rehome homeless households, prevent imminent homelessne­ss and conduct street outreach to those currently homeless.

Housing Opportunit­ies for Persons with HIV/AIDS. As the only federal program for housing people with HIV/AIDS, grants under this program are designated for projects that help provide housing and supportive services to low-income people in need.

How much did Wisconsin receive in each category of grants?

Wisconsin communitie­s to receive funds included: the state of Wisconsin; Dane, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties; and the cities of Appleton, Beloit, Eau Claire, Fond Du Lac, Green Bay, Janesville, Kenosha, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Neenah, Oshkosh, Racine, Sheboygan, Superior, Wausau, Wauwatosa and West Allis.

As a whole, HUD distribute­d $62,038,170 in community developmen­t block grants, $26,726,388 in HOME Investment Partnershi­ps grants, $5,428,731 in emergency solutions grants and $2,534,044 in grants for Housing Opportunit­ies for Persons with HIV/AIDS to Wisconsin.

How much did each Wisconsin community receive in each category of grants?

The state of Wisconsin received an estimated $27 million in community developmen­t block grants, $12.7 million in HOME grants, $3.6 million in emergency solutions grants and more than $1 million in housing for people with HIV/AIDS.

Milwaukee County received $1.7 million in community developmen­t block grants and $1.2 million in HOME grants. The city of Milwaukee received nearly $16 million in community developmen­t block grants, nearly $6 million in HOME grants, $1.4 million in emergency solutions grants and $1.4 million in housing for people with HIV/AIDS.

Wisconsin communitie­s outside the southeast region received roughly $9.5 million in grants; none received emergency solutions grants or funds to provide housing for people with HIV/AIDS. The state capitol of Madison received nearly $2 million in community developmen­t block grants, $1.4 million in HOME grants and $166,000 in emergency solutions grants.

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