Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Press Release

WHEDA provides a housing grant to help tornado victims in Rusk, Barron, and Jackson counties

WHEDA’s Natural Disaster Grants are used to assist with short-term, emergency housing needs.

Madison – The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) has authorized $15,000 in grant funds through its Natural Disaster Program to help victims of recent tornados in Rusk, Barron, and Jackson counties. The grant monies will provide emergency housing assistance to residents who lost their home due to the damaging storm. The funding was approved by the WHEDA Board of Directors at a special meeting.

WHEDA’s Natural Disaster Grants are used to assist with short-term, emergency housing needs, and are disbursed through a local agent, in this instance the Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC). The NRPC provides a variety of community and regional services in the counties affected by the tornados.

“WHEDA strongly supports Governor Walker’s efforts to come to the aid of our citizens,” said WHEDA Director Wyman Winston. “Through our Natural Disaster Program, we are ready to help those currently in desperate need of a safe place to live.”

On May 17, 2017, Governor Scott Walker declared a State of Emergency for Barron, Jackson and Rusk counties following tornadoes and damaging storms. A tornado that hit western Wisconsin on May 16 tracked for 83 miles, the longest tornado to hit the state since modern documentation began in 1950. A mobile home park in Chetek was destroyed, killing one person. Heavy rains impacted parts of west-central and northwestern Wisconsin where some areas received more than five inches of rain, causing damage to roads and other infrastructure. Governor Walker directed state agencies to help those affected by the storms.

For more information on emergency housing assistance contact Mariann Jones of the NRPC at (715) 635-2197.

For 45 years, WHEDA, as an independent state authority, has provided low-cost financing for housing and small business development in Wisconsin. Since 1972, WHEDA has financed more than 84,000 affordable rental units, helped more than 122,000 families purchase a home and made more than 29,000 small business and agricultural loan guarantees. For more information on WHEDA programs, visit wheda.com or call 800-334-6873.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

Recent Press Releases by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority

WHEDA CEO Statement on State of the State Address

WHEDA CEO and Executive Director, Elmer Moore, Jr.’s Statement on Governor Evers’ 2024 State of the State Address

Leave a Reply

You must be an Urban Milwaukee member to leave a comment. Membership, which includes a host of perks, including an ad-free website, tickets to marquee events like Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Florentine Opera, a better photo browser and access to members-only, behind-the-scenes tours, starts at $9/month. Learn more.

Join now and cancel anytime.

If you are an existing member, sign-in to leave a comment.

Have questions? Need to report an error? Contact Us