Find Homeowner Assistance Fund Programs by State: Read More

Supportive Housing Webinar to Feature Developer Insights, Integrated Housing Models

Supportive Housing Webinar to Feature Developer Insights, Integrated Housing Models

WHEDA, CSH continue first-of-its-kind effort to promote housing for state’s most vulnerable residents

MADISON – Successful models that increase the supply of affordable, supportive housing for Wisconsin’s most vulnerable residents will be the focus of a webinar on Tuesday, March 23, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

The event, the second of four, is made possible through a first-of-its-kind partnership by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) to expand the supply of affordable, supportive housing in Wisconsin. Speakers include Ana Simpson, director of community and economic development with WHEDA, Dave Porterfield, senior real estate adviser with Movin’ Out, Amy Stetzel, Upper Midwest director with CSH and Jane Bilger, a senior program manager with CSH.

In Wisconsin, residents with unmet mental health needs, physical challenges and substance use recovery are among those facing great difficulties in finding affordable housing. The shortage of affordable, supportive housing affects rural and urban communities alike.

By connecting affordable housing with supportive services, WHEDA and CSH aim to create lasting benefits for communities statewide. On any given day in Wisconsin, more than 4,700 elderly residents, 2,100 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 740 child welfare involved families and 420 transitional aged youth are in need of supportive housing, based on CSH data.

Tuesday’s webinar on integrated housing models will highlight successful examples of supportive service units integrated among tenants of mixed income in larger properties as well as scattered site housing. The first webinar in the series provided an overview of supportive housing while subsequent events will cover supportive services and property management. The sessions include content to build understanding of the racial disparities and institutional barriers that affect housing for people facing the enormous and debilitating challenges of homelessness, disability and poverty.

For details and to register for the upcoming free, 90-minute events, follow the links below.

In addition to the training opportunities, WHEDA and CSH will implement a statewide survey to better understand the areas of greatest need for supportive housing and the biggest challenges in meeting those needs. WHEDA also will initiate a first-of-its-kind Wisconsin Supportive Housing Institute to provide technical assistance to developers and supportive housing providers as they navigate the complex process of developing affordable housing with access to supportive services. The institute is expected to reduce the timeline for supportive housing by improving planning and development.

To provide additional financing for housing with supportive services, WHEDA increased the preference scoring for these housing projects in the 2021-22 round of federal and state tax credit applications through the Qualified Allocation Plan. To keep up with information about WHEDA resources, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and sign up to receive emails here.

ABOUT WHEDA

For more than 48 years, WHEDA has worked to provide low-cost financing for housing and small business development in Wisconsin. Since 1972, WHEDA has financed more than 78,000 affordable rental units, helped more than 135,000 families purchase a home and provided more than 29,000 small business and agricultural loan guarantees. WHEDA is a self-supporting public corporation that receives no tax dollars for its operations. For more information on WHEDA programs, visit wheda.com or call 800-334-6873.

ABOUT CSH

CSH is a nonprofit focused on advancing solutions that use housing as a platform for services to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people, maximize public resources and build healthy communities. CSH is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and has provided more than $1 billion in loans, grants, project assistance and advocacy creating access to 335,000 homes for those who need housing and important services to achieve stability and transform their lives. CSH and Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority have partnered to offer training opportunities, research and prioritized investment focused on addressing persistent racial inequity and helping individuals and communities to thrive.