Housing Assistance In Wisconsin

Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by Lori Pace

The community in Wisconsin has created a number of housing assistance programs to help single mothers and low-income earners. We will be discussing some of these organizations in the article below.

Rent Assistance in Wisconsin

The Keep Wisconsin in Warm/Cool Fund 

They are a state-wide, non-profit charity that helps in providing heat and electricity throughout the state. They provide financial assistance and preventive services to assist with energy-related problems during winter and summer. This funding is available to working families with young children, the elderly, disabled, veterans, and those who are not eligible for government funds. Energy assistance grants and services can be provided when government funds are unavailable or are insufficient to meet the needs of people in crisis.

Utility Bills Assistance for Housing in Wisconsin

Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative

Through Operation Round-Up, the Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative offers a lot of help to the community. It provides assistance to those who are in financial need for emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing and groceries.

The cooperative is a private non-profit utility company. All customers who receive electricity from the company are members of the cooperative. The members elect nine directors to manage the day-to-day business operations. Scenic Rivers Energy’s directors are responsible for the management of the cooperative. By establishing policies, staff ensures that customers receive reliable electric service.

Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

This program provides assistance to eligible low-income households to help cover heating and electric costs. The program has two components: heating assistance and electric assistance. Eligibility is based on household size, income, and energy costs.

Wisconsin Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

This program helps eligible low-income households to reduce their energy costs by making energy-efficient improvements to their homes. Services may include insulation, weather-stripping, caulking, and furnace repairs or replacements. Eligibility is based on income and household size.

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

The Public Service Commission offers a variety of programs to help customers who are struggling to pay their utility bills. Some of these programs include emergency assistance, budget billing, and deferred payment agreements.

Energy Assistance Foundation

This organization provides energy assistance to low-income households in Wisconsin. Assistance may be provided for heating, electric, and propane costs. 

Eviction Prevention and Legal Assistance for Housing in Wisconsin

Eviction Prevention And Legal Assistance For Housing In Wisconsin

Wisconsin Judicare Inc.

The Wisconsin Judicare Inc., a non-profit law office that provides free representation and assists residents of Northern Wisconsin. This firm provides equal access to justice for Wisconsin residents. The firm uses the on-staff and private attorneys to represent low-income people. The Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission launched the Wisconsin Free Legal Answers project, which is a comprehensive legal advice program.

Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee

The Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee provides its services in the greater Milwaukee area. You can get help with everything from debt relief to creating wills, and even counseling on how to avoid evictions. They help homeowners in foreclosure to save their homes by: Mediation for Foreclosure, Foreclosure defense, Loan modification enforcement, and Negotiations for Modifications to Loans.

Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc.

Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc. provides free civil legal services for people who are going through difficult times. Access to justice is an important civic issue. They offer advice in civil legal proceedings. They provide legal representation to all clients, regardless of their ability to pay. The firm serves clients throughout the state from six offices that are managed by approximately 80 lawyers. They also have many volunteer attorneys who give their time each year to civil legal services.

This firm helps ensure that civil legal needs are better understood and met by the legal system. Their work is funded from both private and public sources, as well as the federally funded Legal Services Corporation. Their work strengthens and stabilizes communities, especially those who are marginalized and underserved.

Charities and Church Housing Assistance in Wisconsin

A Home for Mothers

The New Beginnings organization manages a program called A Home for Mothers. This program offers a safe place for single mothers to start their lives again. The maternity home helps mothers become responsible parents and nurture their babies in a loving environment. New Beginnings allows single mothers to be free from cultural pressures while raising their baby in a nurturing environment. These programs offer opportunities for mothers with low income to achieve their independence and to make academic progress, learn financial and parenting skills, and participate in counseling sessions.

The Hope Gospel Mission 

The Hope Gospel Mission runs the Short Stay program, which provides shelter, food, clothing, and other necessities for individuals and families. This program is not for people who are experiencing long-term problems like joblessness or homelessness. The housing can be occupied for as long as 30 nights. The organization offers assistance by:

  1. Staying in a safe location
  2. The basic needs of residents are met
  3. Residents can change their lives by participating in a program.
  4. The root cause of their homelessness
  5. To help residents achieve independence, it is necessary that they work

This program is designed for pregnant women and mothers with children younger than 10 years of age and who are at least 17 years old.

Homeless Shelter Assistance in Wisconsin

The Crossing of Manitowoc County

The Crossing of Manitowoc County, a non-profit organization, aims to offer life-affirming support to women who are facing unexpected pregnancies. These services are free and open to all families. They focus on the welfare and education of parents. They offer a growing range of services, including limited-time obstetrical ultrasound exams at no cost.

Wisconsin Homeless Veterans Initiative

This organization provides homeless shelter assistance to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They also provide other services like case management, employment assistance, and more.

Wisconsin Coalition Against Homelessness

This organization works to prevent and end homelessness in Wisconsin. They provide resources for homeless individuals and families, as well as advocacy, education, and research. 

Homeowner/Buyer Grants and Assistance in Wisconsin

Movin’ Out

Movin’ Out, an organization that assists low-income earners, including single mothers, to become homeowners. They can help with deferred or forgivable loans to reduce first mortgage debt. This will result in lower monthly payments for the borrower and lower closing costs. They connect low-income Dane County homebuyers, with or without disabilities, to mortgage reduction loans and housing counseling.

Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP)

This program offers grants and loans to help with the down payment and closing costs of a home for eligible low and moderate-income homebuyers.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)

WHEDA provides low-cost mortgages and assistance for homebuyers, as well as home improvement loans and grants for homeowners.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

This program provides grants to local governments and non-profit organizations to assist with a range of housing and community development activities, including home rehabilitation and first-time homebuyer programs.

Rural Development Housing and Community Facilities Programs

This program in Wisconsin provides grants, assistance, and loans for rural communities in building or improving housing, as well as community facilities such as community centers and health clinics.

Veteran Affairs Home Loans

The VA offers home loan benefits to eligible veterans and their spouses, including low or no down payment options and flexible credit requirements.

Home Improvement Grants in Wisconsin

Housing Rehabilitation Program

Housing Rehabilitation Program is a loan program that helps low-income households to make home repairs. These funds can also be used to rent out properties. A mortgage is used to secure the loan. The loans are available at 0% interest for properties that are occupied by their owners. Payments are deferred until either the property is sold or the owner moves. The monthly rental-property loan payments are made at 3% interest. The property must have sufficient equity to cover all current debts and mortgages as well as any repairs made through the Housing Rehabilitation Program.

Milwaukee Christian Center

Milwaukee Christian Center is an organization that aims to build strong communities by providing opportunities for people to have access to housing and food security. This organization manages a neighborhood improvement program that improves the housing conditions of low-income homeowners who live in unsafe or deteriorating homes. These facilities are free and ensure that all homes comply with local living codes. These services include heating, roofing and electrical as well as painting, siding, and structural improvement.

Lori Pace
Lori Pace

Lori Pace is a single mother of three daughters ages 7 and under. As a working mom from home, she balances kids, work and two crazy dogs with humor and love. Follow Lori as she honestly gives tips and advice based on her own experiences as a single mom!