WisconsinWisconsin would offer repair grants and loans to eligible owners
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority would offer eligible homeowners repair grants and small landlords interest-free loans of up to $25,000 per home.
What it does
Eligible homeowners could receive repair grants up to $25,000 for homes aged 10–40 years. Income must be at or below the county’s median. Selling within four years would require repaying part.
Landlords with stakes in no more than five properties and 15 affordable rental homes could receive interest-free loans up to $25,000 per home. Homes must be 10–40 years old. Selling within four years would trigger repayment.
The state would fund the program with 50 percent of the money counties send it from fees charged when real estate changes owners.
Argument forGrants and interest-free loans could help eligible owners fix unsafe homes and improve access for people with disabilities.
Argument againstThe age limits could leave owners of homes older than 40 years without repair help from this program.
More detail
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority would award grants for home repairs, energy savings, and access for people with disabilities. Household income must be at or below the county’s median family income, adjusted for family size. The home must serve as a primary residence. Applicants must own and occupy the home. Eligible owners include manufactured-home owners renting a space, buyers under purchase contracts, former recorded owners affected by fraudulent transfers, and trust beneficiaries with partial ownership. Homeowners with disabilities or children age five or younger would receive priority. The authority could set additional eligibility requirements. Home age would be measured when the owner applies. Selling within four years after receiving a grant would make part of the grant immediately due.
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority would award interest-free loans for rental home repairs, energy savings, and access for people with disabilities. Landlords must own stakes in no more than five rental properties and 15 rental homes, which they rent as affordable housing. Tenants’ household income must be at or below the county’s median family income, adjusted for family size. Estimated annual housing costs must not exceed 30 percent of that median income, using the required family-size and utility calculations. The authority could set additional eligibility requirements. Home age would be measured when the landlord applies. Selling within four years after receiving a loan would make its unpaid balance immediately due.
The state would set aside half of the real estate transfer fee money counties send it for the home repair program. The money would fund homeowner grants and landlord loans through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. The 50 percent share would apply to money counties send the state, rather than all transfer fees collected.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 7Fiscal estimate receivedLatest
- Mar 23Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1Major
- Mar 19Read first time and referred to Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and ForestryMinor
- Mar 19Introduced by Senators L. Johnson, Spreitzer, Smith, Wirch, Hesselbein and Larson; cosponsored by Representatives Haywood, Bare, Prado, Sinicki, DeSmidt, Stubbs, Doyle, Neubauer, Goodwin, Joers, Taylor, Kirsch, Sheehan, Mayadev, Snodgrass, Subeck, Moore Omokunde, Arney, Emerson, Miresse, Johnson, Phelps, Rivera-Wagner, Palmeri, Madison, Fitzgerald, Roe, Hysell, Brown, Udell, Tenorio, Andraca and ViningIntroduced
HousingTaxes & Budget