DOA > Wisconsin Help For Homeowners

Wisconsin Help For Homeowners

Translations available now: Español | Hmoob | Soomaali

Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH) is a statewide program that can help with overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and more. The program is open to individuals and families who live in Wisconsin with overdue housing-related bills, both with and without a mortgage, who meet income and other eligibility requirements, and have experienced a qualified economic hardship since January 21, 2020.

Applications closed on March 8, 2024.

Who Can Apply? | Where to Go for Help | Program Data and Background Information

Up to $40,000 per household may be available to help with overdue housing bills.

Utility and Home Energy Payments

Help with Mortgage Payments and Other Household Bills

Services to help you stay in your home

Please note applications closed March 8, 2024.

Program Qualifications

You may qualify if you meet all of the following:

If you are a Wisconsin homeowner living in a:

Single-family home
Duplex
Condo
Factory-built home

You have been financially impacted since January 21, 2020.
Your household income is less than or equal to 100% of either the U.S. or county median, whichever is greater. Check your income here!

How to get more information: 

Check on your online application via the Neighborly application portal. (Language options available for English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali)
Call 1-855-2-HOME-WI to get additional information or available assistance.
For additional information or assistance, or questions about your application, please reach out to your regional program contact. (See chart below)

If you are facing foreclosure and have experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic after the application period, you may contact the call center at 1-855-2-HOME-WI (1-855-246-6394) for more information about alternative programs that may be available to assist you.

Additional Resources:

Take Root Wisconsin

Housing Cost Reduction Program

Critical Assistance Program

Wisconsin Energy Assistance Program

Keep WI Warm/Cool Fund

Wisconsin Weatherization Assistance Program

Emergency Assistance Program

Internet/Broadband Assistance

HUD Counseling Services

The following communities have CDBG CV assistance available for homeowners (utilities and/or mortgage assistance-property taxes are not eligible.) Income limit is 80% CMI.

Community	Contact Information
La Crosse County serving the following counties (excluding the City of La Crosse): LaCrosse, Monroe, Vernon, and Crawford.	CouleeCap: 844-260-7709
Marathon County serving Marathon County (excludes the City of Wausau)	North Central CAP: 715-842-0681
Brown County serving Brown County excludes the City of Green Bay	Newcap: 1-800-242-7334
Outagamie County serving the following counties: Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago counties. Some cities (entitlements) are not included in the service area.	Leaven: 920-738-9635
Pepin County	West CAP: 608-935-2326
City of Waupaca serving the following counties: Waupaca, Portage, Waushara, and Marquette.	Cap Services: 1-844-314-8004
City of Beloit	Community Action Inc of Rock and Walworth Counties: 608-313-1300
City of Oshkosh	Advocap: 920-922-7760

Regional Contact List

Agency	Counties Served	Contact Information
1. ADVOCAP	Fond du Lac, Calumet, Green Lake, Winnebago	920-922-7760 www.advocap.org
2. Cap Services	Marquette, Outagamie, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara	1-844-314-8004 www.capservices.org
3. Central Wisconsin CAC	Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Juneau, Sauk	608-254-8353 www.cwcac.org
4. Community Action Coalition for South Central WI	Dane, Jefferson, Waukesha	608-237-1255 www.cacscw.org
5. Community Action, Inc. of Rock & Walworth Counties	Rock, Walworth	608-313-1300 www.community-action.org
6. Couleecap	Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon	1-844-260-7709 www.couleecap.org
7. Foundation for Rural Housing	Washington, Ozaukee	1-888-400-5974 www.wisconsinruralhousing.org
8. Lakeshore CAP	Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan	920-682-3737 www.lakeshorecap.org
9. Newcap	Brown, Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Shawano, Vilas	1-800-242-7334 www.newcap.org
10. North Central CAP	Lincoln, Marathon, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Wood	715-842-0681 www.northcentralcap.org
11. Northwest CSA	Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron, Price	715-392-5127 www.northwest-csa.org
12. Racine Kenosha CAA	Racine, Kenosha	Racine: 262-637-8377 Kenosha: 262-657-0840 www.rkcaa.org
13. Social Development Corporation	Milwaukee	414-906-2740 www.cr-sdc.org
14. Southwest CAP	Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland	608-935-2326 www.swcap.org
15. West CAP	Barron, Burnett, Chippewa, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix, Washburn	715-265-4271 www.westcap.org
16. Western Dairyland EOC	Buffalo, Clark, Eau Claire, Jackson, Trempealeau	608-863-4000 www.westerndairyland.org

Applications closed March 8, 2024.

Please note that a submitted application does not guarantee assistance.

Program Data and Background Information

Data below current as of 2/19/2024

Percentage of households receiving housing counseling: 27%

Number of households that have received tax assistance: 1987

Number of households that have received assistance for past due mortgages: 4992

Quarterly & Annual Reports

Additional Program Information:

The Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources (DEHCR) is administering the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program, with funding from the Homeowners Assistance Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The WHH program provides housing grants to owner-occupied households who have experienced a financial hardship since January 21, 2020, based on income level.

Financial hardship is defined as:

A material reduction in income or material increase in living expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic that has created or increased a risk of mortgage delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services, or displacement for a homeowner.

Eligible types of expenses under this program may include but are not limited to:

mortgage and interest payments
real estate taxes
condominium, association and lot fees

The property must be the owner's primary residence. Vacation homes, rentals, cabins, and second homes are ineligible for assistance through WHH.

Mortgage Servicers, utility providers, and service providers of eligible program expenses who are interested in participating in the program should review the Vendor Information FAQ and contact whh@wisconsin.gov for a participation packet.

The final state program plan approved by the U.S. Treasury is available here.

Two public hearings were held during the initial program review period. View the recording here.

This initiative is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act through the U.S. Department of Treasury. 

Back to Top

Wisconsin Help For Homeowners

​Program Qualifications​

Regional Contact List

Program Qualifications