The HOME Consortium
In 1998 Jefferson, Washington and Waukesha Counties joined together to form the HOME Consortium and become eligible to receive federal HOME program funds to support the creation and maintenance of affordable housing. In 1999, Ozaukee County agreed to participate in the Consortium. The main purposes of the HOME Consortium are to advance home ownership opportunities with a down payment assistance program, and to maintain the quality of the existing housing stock through low-interest housing rehabilitation loans. All programs are available to households in the participating counties that earn 80% or less of the area median income. For the Consortium to be officially recognized, the government of each participating community was required to adopt a formal resolution and execute a Participation Agreement. Every municipality in Jefferson, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha Counties, with the exception of Towns of Eagle, and Ottawa, the Villages of Chenequa, Lac la Belle, and Oconomowoc Lake, has formally approved participation in the HOME Consortium.
The Consortium also has funding available for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) and non-CHDO development of affordable housing. This funding is open to nonprofit and for profit developers based on availability. Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) is a new program started 2020 and provides rental assistance for up to 24 months for qualified households.
The Board
A twelve (12) member Board of Directors governs the HOME Consortium. The Counties of Jefferson, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha all are represented on the Board.
Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Core HOME Consortium Programs
Waukesha County HOME funds activities in core programs such as home ownership assistance (Down Payment Assistance), purchase/rehabilitiation, home rehabilitation.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) along with CHDO and non-CHDO Development of Affordable Housing projects are also funded.
HUD HOME Amount Awarded to Waukesha County
Annual Allocation
The HOME Consortium receives an annual allocation of HOME funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Consortium then publishes an annual budget for public comment by September, and the budget is approved by the HOME Board in October. The HOME Consortium allocates its funding into categories: Administration, Core Programs, and CHDO Projects. Funding for the Core Programs is given directly to eligible families, and CHDO funds are awarded to eligible organizations through a competitive process.
Recently Awarded HUD Funded Annual Amounts Received by Consortium:
2023 - $1,632,417
2022 - $1,634,455
2021 - $1,460,506
2020 - $1,447,991
2019 - $1,295,030
2018 - $1,410,331
Examples of HOME Development of Affordable Housing Projects
Barton School Apartments in Washington County, by Commonwealth Development Corporation of America, Inc. This project will bring 34 affordable rental units (8 of which are HOME units) to Washington County Residents.
Family Promise of Washington County, constructed four (4) units of transitional housing attached to the emergency shelter for homeless men and women.
Habitat for Humanity Waukesha County. Habitat will transform atleast 10 properties on Whiterock Avenue in Waukesha. HOME funds were used to purchase three (3) of these properties.
Village Point Commons in Grafton. HOME Funds will support five (5) units of the 227 units in the development. These units are intended for individuals 55 years and older.
Movin Out - Globe Apartments located in Watertown. HOME funds provided 11 units for occupancy by persons with a disability out of a total of 48 units.
TBRA services are provided in partnership with Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc.
Contact Information
Debbie Narus at 262-896-8170 or [email protected] regarding Program Adminstration, Down Payment Assistance (DPA), Purchase/Rehab, Rehab Program, CDBG Rehab Program and CHI/CCAP Loan Servicing
Kristin Silva at 262-896-3370 or [email protected] regarding Lead Agent, CHDO and non-CHDO Development of Affordable Housing
