Wausau, WI
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Since 1976, the City of Wausau has been deemed an Entitlement Community and is an active participant in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Over the years, these funds have been allocated to support a diverse array of local initiatives, including economic development, enhancements to infrastructure accessibility (such as sidewalks, crosswalks, streets, and street lighting), park restoration, home rehabilitation, affordable housing projects, and various non-profit agencies who assist Wausau residents. Every five years a new consolidated plan is created. Please click here to learn more and to give your input.
Purpose and Objectives
The primary purpose of the Housing and Community Development Act is to address housing and community development needs in the United States. This legislation aims to provide affordable housing opportunities, improve living conditions for low- and moderate-income individuals and families, promote economic development, and enhance the quality of life in communities across the country. Additionally, it establishes various programs and funding mechanisms to support initiatives related to housing, urban development, and community revitalization. Every project undertaken using CDBG funds must align with one of the three overarching National Objectives:
- Benefit low and moderate income persons
- Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight
- Meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious or immediate threat to health.
Subrecipients who receive CDBG funding must follow the income guidelines that HUD updates on an annual basis. This means the funds must be used to assist individuals/households who are at or below the income limit per household size, per the limits released by HUD and effective as of 5/1/24.
| % of AMI | Number of Persons Per Household | |||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| 80% | Moderate | $53,100 | $60,700 | $68,300 | $75,850 | $81,950 | $88,000 | $94,100 | $100,150 |
| 60% | Low | $39,840 | $45,540 | $51,240 | $56,880 | $61,440 | $66,000 | $70,560 | $75,120 |
| 30% | Very Low | $19,950 | $22,800 | $25,650 | $28,450 | $30,750 | $33,050 | $35,300 | $37,600 |
CDBG funds must focus on projects that create a measurable community impact and fall within the eligible activity categories outlined by HUD. In the CDBG program, eligible activities are those that align with the program's goals of benefiting low- and moderate-income individuals, addressing urgent community needs, or eliminating slum and blight.
Examples include:
- Housing rehabilitation
- Public services (such as job training, childcare, or health services)
- Public infrastructure improvements (roads, water systems, etc.)
- Economic development activities to create jobs
- Acquisition and demolition of blighted properties
Ineligible activities are those that do not meet these objectives or are restricted by federal regulations.
These typically include:
- General government expenses
- Political activities
- New construction of government buildings
- Income payments (such as direct cash assistance to individuals)
- Certain equipment purchases for government use
Planning for the Program Year 2025 is under way! Below is a list of the activities funded for 2024. The list will be updated with activities awarded 2025 funding as soon as they are known.
2024 CDBG Awarded Activities
The list below details what activities were funded, the amount initially requested for the activity and the actual amount awarded for 2024.
| Agency and Activity | Requested | AWARDED |
|---|---|---|
| Administration – CD Administration General management and coordination. |
$100,000 | $100,000 |
| Housing – Acquisition Assistance for the acquisition of properties to then be sold to income qualified households. |
$150,000 | $145,224 |
| Housing – Homeowner Rehabilitation Low Interest Loan Assistance provided to low-moderate income homeowners for necessary home rehabilitation. |
$75,000 | $70,000 |
| Slum and Blight Elimination Elimination of deteriorating areas which would then ensure any development in that space would benefit low to moderate income individuals. |
$100,000 | $95,000 |
|
Public Facility – Curb Ramp Reconstruction |
$75,000 | $75,000 |
| Public Service – Faith In Action - Support for Seniors Assistance for programming related activities to help seniors including transportation to appointments, deliveries and friendly visits. |
$25,000 | $15,000 |
|
Public Service - Children's Imaginarium A space to inspire discovery and imagination through hands-on exploration and educational experiences through interactive exhibits rooted in STEM and designed to be hands-on. |
$25,000 | $25,000 |
| Public Service - Granite House A place that provides a supportive place for adults who are living with mental illness. |
$25,000 | $25,000 |
| Public Service – Wausau Free Clinic Assistance to help pay for medications, lab testing, and interpreter services for patients of the clinic who are uninsured or underinsured. |
$40,000 | $25,000 |