The Critical Assistance (CA) program provides homeless prevention assistance to low-to-moderate income households in areas of the state that are not served by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Emergency Solutions Grant, the state-funded Homeless Prevention Program, or other housing prevention programs. Households served by the CA program are at or below 80 percent of the county median income (CMI), with the majority of households served at or below 30 percent of the CMI. CA funds can be utilized for a one-time payment towards mortgage, property taxes, rent, security deposit, and/or utility costs to prevent homelessness.
The Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources awards CA funds to one, applicant agency who has the capacity to assist the neediest persons throughout the state of Wisconsin, outside of Dane, Milwaukee, and Racine counties. The grant award includes operation funds to support housing activities, and may be used to provide housing counseling as well as staff salaries and other administrative necessities.
The Division encourages the coordination of CA prevention activities with existing local programs and expects the grantee to collaborate with other agencies in local communities for the delivery of homelessness prevention services.
Eligible Activities
The grantee may assist homeowners with a one-time payment towards the principal and interest on a mortgage loan that is in arrears. The homeowner must show the ability to make future payments.
The grantee may assist homeowners with a one-time payment towards property taxes that are in arrears. The homeowner must show the ability to make future payments.
The grantee may provide a one-time payment towards rent, if the tenant shows the capacity to make future rent payments.
The grantee may provide a one-time payment towards a security deposit after other homeless prevention assistance sources are considered.
The grantee may provide a one-time payment towards utility costs in instances where non-payment will lead to eviction and homelessness. Eligible utilities include heat, electric, and water costs. Other forms of utility assistance must be considered first before CA funds are utilized.
The grantee may utilize up to 15 percent of the total grant award for administrative costs to support housing assistance activities, including staff salaries and administrative expenses.
Current Grantee
Individuals and households in need of homeless prevention assistance should first contact other agencies in their local community. Eligibility to receive CA funds may only be considered after all local resources have been exhausted.
The current CA grantee is the Foundation for Rural Housing:
Telephone: (608) 238-3448
Telephone: (608) 261-7013
Mailing Address: Department of Administration
Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources
P.O. Box 7970
Madison, WI 53707-7970
