Programs News

Governor Tony Evers has introduced the HOME-American Rescue Plan program (HOME-ARP), which is federally funded and designed to aid in the provision of safe, affordable housing and supportive services for low-income and housing-insecure households.

Governor Evers said, “The need for affordable housing is one of the issues I hear most about as I travel across our state. Expanding access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is a critical part of our work to support kids and families, bolster our state’s workforce and economy, and ensure our communities continue to grow and thrive. Whether it’s rehabilitating blighted properties, expanding renter protections, or improving safety, this new program will help us connect the dots between some of the most pressing challenges facing our state.”

HOME-ARP was appropriated under Section 3205 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The HOME-ARP program addresses the need for robust homelessness assistance and supportive services.

The U.S. Congress allocated $5 billion in ARPA funds to be managed through the HOME-ARP program to assist individuals experiencing homelessness, those at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations.

Wisconsin has received more than $41.8 million for HOME-ARP, which will be supervised by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR). The state’s plan aims to use these funds for the creation of rental housing units, supportive services, and the enhancement of nonprofit capacity and operations.

The eligible applicants are now allowed to apply for the funds to develop rental housing units and provide supportive services to qualified people. The qualified people include families and individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, victims of domestic violence, and housing-insecure people.