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Outagamie County in Wisconsin is addressing the affordable housing shortage by using some of its federal COVID-19 relief funds to invest in the construction of new housing developments. Last year, the county allocated .5 million of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, totaling .5 million, towards affordable housing development. This will be the second round of grants awarded to developers through ARPA funds.

The county previously awarded million to assist the development of the 48-unit Rise Apartments in downtown Appleton and an additional million to Habitat for Humanity for the construction of 10 single-family homes. With .5 million remaining, the county plans to allocate it for the second round of grants.

The Affordable Housing Production Grant aims to support the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing developments intended to serve low- or moderate-income households for a minimum of 20 years. Applicants who rehabilitate affordable housing are eligible for grants ranging from 0,000 to 0,000, while developers constructing new housing can access between 0,000 and .5 million. Projects must include at least five units and be located within the county. The application period for funding is open until January 12th.

The need for affordable housing in Outagamie County is significant. According to a housing study, the region requires approximately 1,000 to 2,000 new affordable housing units per year to keep up with demand. Many households in the area spend more than 30% of their monthly income on rent or mortgage, making it challenging to cover other living costs.

In addition to affordable housing, the county has allocated its ARPA funds towards expanding internet access, funding nonprofit grants, establishing a new 911 Communication Center, investing in information technology projects, and covering COVID-19-related expenses. Last year, the remaining ARPA balance of million was distributed across various areas such as child care, behavioral and mental health services, broadband expansion, economic development, and workforce training.

The Outagamie County government is taking proactive measures to address the affordable housing crisis, investing in new housing developments to accommodate the growing demand and help low- and moderate-income households find affordable rental options.

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