City of Wausau Community Development is a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency & Adopter of the National Industry Standards.

Education
Homebuyer Education consists of an educational session(s) to help future homebuyers become knowledgeable on all aspects of the homebuying process. The education includes the following topics: Renting vs. Buying, Choosing a Realtor, Choosing a Realtor and searching for a home, Choosing a Lender, Choosing a Mortgage Product, Understanding Credit, Choosing a Home Inspector, Homeowners Insurance, Title Insurance, Fair Housing, Home Maintenance, and more!

Counseling
One-on-One counseling provides a personalized and in-depth review of Housing Affordability, Household Budget, Debt to Income and Expense Reduction Options, Credit Repair / Building, Discretionary Income, Savings, Down Payment Options and Mortgage Options. Counseling are geared toward client's individual challenges and goals as they begin to think about buying a home.

Interested parties should complete the Intake Package and gather the required documentation.

Completed forms and required documentation can be submitted the following ways:

• Email: Shannon
• Fax: 715-261-0374
• Mail or Deliver: City of Wausau Community Development, Attn: Shannon, 407 Grant St. Wausau, WI 54403

For additional information, please email Shannon or call 715-261-6679.

One on One, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Counseling consists of a reviewing current mortgage terms and payment, refinancing and/or home equity options and their impact on affordability, the costs of home improvements and utilities, energy efficiency, and rights and responsibilities of homeowners. Budgeting is important and should be completed before the session.

For additional information, please email Tammy or call 715-261-6682.

The City of Wausau has funds available to provide low interest installment loans to assist with a down payment and/or closing costs associated with buying a home in the City of Wausau. Applicant(s) must meet the income guidelines listed in the chart above to qualify for the program.

Interested parties should complete a Application and gather the required documentation listed below.

Completed Applications and required documentation can be submitted the following ways:

• Email: Shannon
• Fax: 715-261-0374
• Mail or Deliver To:
  • City of Wausau - Community Development
  • Attn: Shannon
  • 407 Grant St. Wausau, WI 54403

Please provide the required documentation with your application:

• Verification of Income
  
  • 3 months of current paystubs (current/consecutive)
  • 12 month history of child support payments (statement from child support agency or from online account: Child Support Online Services)
  • Social Security Award Letter(s)
  • Pension/Retirement Award Letter(s)
• 1 year Most Recent Federal & State Tax Returns
• 3 months of statements from ALL Checking & Savings Accounts
  
  • Must provide evidence of $1,500 ($1,000 toward purchase & $500 for reserve)
• Most current retirement/investment account(s) statement(s)
• Copy of Driver's License
• Pre-Approval Letter (if you have one / will need within 15 days of approval)
• Credit Report (City Staff can request from chosen lender)
• Completed Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Education & Counseling Package

Please see our Down Payment Brochure for complete details or feel free to email Shannon or call 715-261-6679.

The City, along with our partners, Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin (CFONCW), and local businesses, we offer an award winning Down Payment Assistance Program called Live It Up, Wausau.

The premise of Live It Up is simple: Assist current and prospective employees of partnering businesses with the purchase of a home in the City of Wausau by providing a partially forgivable $10,000 or $15,000 loan, at a low 2% interest rate, with flexible loan terms. Loan Approval is subject to availability of funds.

For Employers

The goal of Live It Up is to make homeownership more affordable and accessible to hardworking employees by offering a Down Payment Assistance program to current and prospective employees of partnering businesses. Our application process is simple and has minimal qualification criteria. The City of Wausau wants to continue offering Live It Up to help your business retain and attract employees to help keep you business running smoothly. Businesses who partner with the City of Wausau to offer this unique benefit are helping keep their employees rooted & working in our communities.

Live It Up can only benefit employees as long as funds are available. Employer partnerships are crucial to continue this program!

A business would make a Tax-Deductible donation through the CFONCW. If your business is interested in providing this unique benefit to your employees, please contact a member of the Community Development Team below to learn more about the program and how to donate.

Shannon Graff
Community Development Specialist
shannon.graff@ci.wausau.wi.us
715-261-6679

Tammy Stratz
Community Development Manager
tammy.stratz@ci.wausau.wi.us
715-261-6682

For Employees

You must work for one of the partnering businesses listed below, and apply for the Live It Up Program by completing an application.

Apply for Live It Up

• Live It Up Application

Applying online provides the option to upload the required documentation to complete the application process however, you may provide the documentation via an option listed below.

All required documentation must be included with the application in order for it to be processed. If not received within 15 days of receipt of application, the application will be denied.

Submit All Required Documentation to:

Attn: Shannon - Community Development
shannon.graff@ci.wausau.wi.us
Fax: 715-261-0374
Mail: 407 Grant St. Wausau, WI 54403

• Live It Up Guidelines
• Live It Up City Limits

The businesses below have chosen to partner with the City of Wausau through a tax-deductible donation allowing them to offer Live It Up to their current & prospective employees and helping the program thrive.

• Accounting Systems Specialists Inc.
• Associated Bank
• Aqua Finance
• CGI - Wausau
• Church Mutual
• County Materials Corp.
• CoVantage Credit Union
• Crystal Finishing Systems, Inc.
• Emmerich & Associates
• First Weber
• Greenheck Fan Corporation
• Home Insulation Company
• IncredibleBank
• JARP Industries
• JAS Construction
• Linetec
• L&S Electric, Inc.
• Major Industries
• Merrill Steel
• North Central Health Care
• Old Castle Building Envelope
• Olson Tire & Auto Services, Inc.
• Ruder Ware
• Southern Stretch Forming
• The King Company
• UMR, United Healthcare, OptumRx
• Wausau Coated Products/Roastar
• Wausau Window & Wall Systems
• Wisconsin Public Service Foundation
• Woodson YMCA

WHEDA FAQs for homeowners, renters, housing providers in response to COVID-19.

The City of Wausau offers a low-interest loan program for qualified City of Wausau residents to affordably complete necessary home improvements. Loans are provided on a first-come first-served basis. There is currently a waiting list for the program. Clients must meet the income guidelines in the chart above to qualify. Interested parties should complete a Homeowner Rehabilitation Application.

Completed Applications and required documentation can be submitted the following ways:

• Email: Tammy
• Fax: 715-261-4192
• Mail or Deliver To:
  • City of Wausau - Community Development
  • Attn: Tammy
  • 407 Grant St. Wausau, WI 54403

Applicant(s) will be notified if application is approved and added to the waiting list. When an Applicant's name reaches the top of the list, they will be contacted to verify continued interest and eligibility for the program.

Please provide the required documentation with your application:

• Most Recent Year Federal & State Tax Returns including W2's (2 years if self-employed)
• Property Tax Bill
• Homeowner Insurance Policy
• Verification of Income
  
  • Check stubs (4 continuous)
  • Pension Award Letter(s)
  • Social Security or SSI Award Letter(s)
  • 3 Months History of Child Support Payments
• Assets - 2 months statements for ALL  checking, savings, cd's, stocks, bonds, retirement, etc.
• Copies of 2 Most Recent Mortgage Statements
• If applicable, copy of Final Divorce Decree and/or Child Support Documentation
• Signed General Authorization

Please see our Homeowner Rehabilitation Brochure for complete details on this program.

For additional information, please email Tammy or call 715-261-6682.

The City of Wausau offers a low-interest installment loan to assist Landlords with renovations on properties located in the City of Wausau. Funds availability is based on first-come, first-served .

Rental Rehabilitation Income Guidelines as of 6/15/2023:

Interested parties should complete a Rental Rehabilitation Program Application and return along with the required documentation listed below to the Community Development Dept. located in Wausau City Hall 407 Grant St. Wausau. 

Please provide the required documentation with your application:

• Copy of Deed
• Most recent property tax bill
• Property cash flow
• Proof of insurance
• Verification of current mortgage balance
• Completed Tenant Certifications for each occupied unit

Please see our Rental Rehabilitation Program Guidelines for complete details on this program.

For additional information, please email Tammy or call 715-261-6682.

***THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY ON PAUSE. NO APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED.*** 

The Wausau Commercial Rehabilitation Program is a loan program designed to stimulate rehabilitation and redevelopment of commercial real estate in Wausau.

Interested parties should complete a Commercial Rehabilitation Application and return along with the required documentation listed below to the Community Development Dept. located in Wausau City Hall, 407 Grant St. Wausau.

Please provide the required documentation with your application:

• Attach contractor estimates and rendering of project
• $50 Application Fee

Please see our Commercial Rehabilitation Program Guidelines for complete details on this program.

For additional information, please email Tammy or call 715-261-6682.