In a rare move, Majority Republicans on an Assembly committee are blocking an annual plan to use reserves to support affordable housing and economic development efforts.
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority got the nearly $17 million from interest and application fees.
Republican Rep. Dave Murphy of Greenville says they want to do some other things with affordable housing in rural areas, instead of spending money on a proposed new headquarters for the authority.
Democratic Rep. Amanda Stuck of Appleton accused Republicans of playing politics by sending the plan to the Legislature’s budget committee. It’s the first time that’s happened in 35 years.
She’s concerned the budget committee will hold up the money, and affordable housing and economic development projects will suffer.
Stuck says while some of the money would go toward the headquarters, most of it would be used by programs.
A WHEDA spokeswoman said the annual Dividends for Wisconsin Plan targets $9 million for affordable housing with a focus on rural areas; $1 million for economic development; up to $3.5 million for statewide community grants and services; and $3.2 million to relocate WHEDA’s Madison offices following state purchase of its existing building.
The spokeswoman also says they’re working to accelerate development of workforce housing in rural communities through innovation in its existing programs.
