KENOSHA — The Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program, recently announced by Gov. Tony Evers, could provide more than $92 million in financial assistance for Wisconsin residents. Support for the program has been provided through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Kenosha County Treasurer Teri Jacobson encourages homeowners who are experiencing financial hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic to utilize the program as it provides assistance with mortgage payments, property taxes and even utility bills.
Jacobson was selected by State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski to chair the program, which comes from the Treasurers’ Homeowners Task Force, back in 2020.
“Our goal from the start was to empower homeowners and create a dedicated network of resources for homeownership, and this new program fits that bill to a ‘T,’” Jacobson said. “For people who may have lost work or fallen behind bills due to the pandemic, the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program may be the difference between keeping and losing a home.”
The program offers help with mortgage payments, local property taxes and utilities (including internet) to eligible homeowners, as well as financial counseling and legal services.
Help for Homeowners: Who is Eligible?
- Wisconsin homeowners who have experienced a “qualified financial hardship” after Jan. 21, 2020
- Earn a household income at or below 100 percent of the area median income
- Whose primary residences are:
- single-family residences
- condominiums
- duplexes
- factory-built homes
“This program has the power to improve the lives of many Kenosha County homeowners,” Jacobson said. “I encourage people to reach out and see how it might be able to help them. The program is being administered locally by the Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency, which has already helped so many residents in our area.”
For more information, or for the online application, visit the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners website, or call 855-2-HOME-WI (855-246-6394).
Another Program Available
Jacobson said the task force she chaired also created a statewide homeownership network called Take Root Wisconsin that is working to help people become homeowners, remain homeowners, and help with repair work.
“I encourage people in the community to also sign up with that program if they need assistance in those areas that are outside the scope of the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program,” Jacobson said.
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