HUD: Awards $8.1 million in American Rescue Plan funds for emergency housing vouchers in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wisc. – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge today announced the awarding of the first tranche of American Rescue Plan funds for Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Specifically, HUD is awarding Wisconsin $8.1 million to cover the cost of 730 vouchers and related administrative costs, including up-front costs needed to stand up the program, for an initial 18-month period.

Nationally, HUD is awarding $1.1 billion – 70,000 vouchers – for 626 public housing authorities (PHAs) administering the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Click here for a full list of awards.

“Addressing our nation’s homelessness crisis is a top priority for HUD,” said Secretary Fudge. “With COVID-19 still a threat and with the sweltering summer months just around the corner, the $1.1 billion we are announcing today comes at a critical time in our efforts to get people experiencing homelessness off the streets and into safe, stable homes. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, communities now have the robust resources they need to make significant progress toward ending homelessness.”

“The funding and implementation of these Emergency Housing Vouchers takes the Housing First approach that ensures housing as a right, not a privilege,” said Midwest Deputy Regional Administrator James A. Cunningham. “These ARP funds bring Wisconsin closer to ending homelessness and housing instability.”

Today’s awarding of $1.1 billion in EHVs is part of $5 billion that the American Rescue Plan Act enabled HUD to allocate in additional vouchers to PHAs. HUD allocated these vouchers to communities with the greatest need for EHVs and where local housing authorities demonstrated capacity to administer this vital assistance. The EHV program serves geographically diverse housing needs, from high-cost urban areas to a large number of rural communities.

EHV funding gives communities significant resources to assist individuals and families who are homeless; at risk of homelessness; fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or recently homeless. EHVs help individuals and families find housing and remain stably housed long-term.

The $1.1 billion in EHVs will cover the cost of vouchers and related administrative costs, including up-front costs needed to stand up the program, for an initial 18-month period. Thereafter, HUD will provide annual funding to cover the cost of renewals in 12-month increments through September 30, 2030 or until the $5 billion ARP allocation runs out, whichever comes first.

HUD has allocated $10 billion in American Rescue Plan homelessness assistance. In addition to the $5 billion for EHVs, HUD allocated $5 billion through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to increase affordable housing to address homelessness.

The following Wisconsin public housing authorities received awards: