MADISON, Wis. — Organizations throughout Wisconsin that provide emergency shelter, transitional residences, and extremely low-income housing are encouraged to apply for grants from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Foundation.
The WHEDA Foundation, Inc., celebrating its 40th anniversary, will award $2 million for the 2025 cycle, to be announced later this year. The grants are for physical improvements such as rehabilitation, accessibility features, and new construction. There is no minimum grant size, but the maximum grant amount is $50,000.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations or cooperatives organized under Chapters 181, 185, or 187 of the Wisconsin Statutes; community development, redevelopment, and housing authorities; and local government, including Native American Tribal authorities. Interested organizations can find the application the WHEDA website and apply by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
“The WHEDA Foundation Housing Grant Program has quietly preserved and improved thousands of beds for 40 years. Over $30 million has helped grantees replace roofs and furnaces, paint facilities, and add accessibility to provide a safe harbor when families and individuals across the state need it most. We’re proud to continue this program for another year,” said Elmer Moore, Jr., WHEDA CEO and Executive Director.
Administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the WHEDA Foundation Housing Grant Program aims to improve housing for community members with complex needs, such as individuals who have developmental or intellectual disabilities, people who are experiencing intimate partner violence, individuals with incomes at or below 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), youth experiencing homelessness, and people with mental and behavioral health conditions. Grants of up to $50,000 are available in two categories: emergency/transitional housing and permanent housing
The annual Housing Grant Program competition is funded entirely by WHEDA operations and uses no state tax dollars. Organizations receiving the grants include nonprofit agencies, local governments, and Tribal authorities serving low-income or disadvantaged populations, including people and youth experiencing homelessness, people with substance use disorder, individuals in need of protective services, aging and older adults, and people living with HIV.
During the 2024 grant cycle, 52 organizations received $2 million to create or improve 1,674 beds or units. A list of the 2024 grant award recipients is \ available on WHEDA’s website
ABOUT WHEDA
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) is a self-supporting public agency whose mission is to help Wisconsin thrive by expanding access to affordable housing choices. Since its creation in 1972, the Authority has financed the development of more than 88,700 affordable rental units, helped more than 141,800 families purchase a home, and provided more than 29,280 small business and agricultural loan guarantees. To learn more about the Agency and its programs, visit wheda.com or call 800-334-6873.
