City of Portage Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Program

How it works

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Program is a federally funded housing rehabilitation program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources. The State distributes funds to Wisconsin units of general local government in non-entitlement areas, and the City of Portage page provides local program contact information through MSA Professional Services.

The program is intended to help conserve, rehabilitate, and improve residential properties occupied by low- to moderate-income residents. The homeowner materials describe no-interest, deferred-payment home repair loans for eligible owner-occupants. The page also notes that lead-based paint hazard repairs may be awarded as grants to eligible applicants and do not need to be repaid.

What the money covers

The homeowner application says typical eligible projects can include roofing, siding, and windows. It also states that the program can cover repairs addressing health and safety issues, and that code violations receive top priority. Additional inspections may be required for lead-based paint, septic soil testing, asbestos, or mold remediation.

The materials are clear that cosmetic work is not allowed. New construction is not permitted unless it is needed for overcrowding or handicap accessibility.

Amounts and matching

The page does not state a single maximum loan amount. The homeowner application gives an example that a typical roofing, siding, and windows project may cost approximately $40,000 to $50,000.

The program cannot reimburse work already completed. If a homeowner chooses a contractor other than the lowest responsible and reasonable bid, or a bid within 10% of the lowest bid, the homeowner must escrow the difference at closing.

How to apply

Homeowners must submit a completed application and all required documentation. The administrator verifies income and assets using third-party records, check stubs, statements, and income tax information. The property is inspected, bids are obtained, and the homeowner reviews the bids with the administrator before loan approval.

Timing and deadlines

The page does not list a formal application deadline. No work may begin until the mortgage has been signed and recorded and the contract with the contractor has been signed. Funds cannot be used to reimburse already completed work.