Section 16.306. Transitional housing grants.

 

(1)   Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Eligible applicant" means any of the following:

1. A county or municipal governing body.

2. A county or municipal governmental agency.

3. A community action agency under s. 49.265 .

4. A private, nonprofit organization.

5. An organization operated for profit.

(b) “Transitional housing" means housing and supportive services for homeless persons that is designed to facilitate the movement of homeless persons to independent living.

(2)   Grants.

(a) From the appropriation under s. 20.505 (7) (fm) , the department may award a grant to an eligible applicant for the purpose of providing transitional housing and associated supportive services to homeless individuals and families if the conditions under par. (b) are satisfied. The department shall ensure that the funds for the grants are reasonably balanced among geographic areas of the state, consistent with the quality of applications submitted.

(b) A recipient of a grant under par. (a) shall agree to use the grant to support a transitional housing program that does all of the following:

1. Utilizes only existing buildings.

2. Utilizes buildings at scattered sites.

3. Facilitates the utilization, by residents, of appropriate social services available in the community.

4. Provides, or facilitates the provision of, training in self-sufficiency to residents.

5. Requires that at least 25 percent of the income of residents be spent for rent.

6. Permits persons to reside in transitional housing facilities for a period not to exceed 24 months.

(3)   Reporting. Each recipient of a grant under this section shall annually provide all of the following information to the department:

(a) The total number of persons served.

(b) The length of stay in transitional housing of each person served.

(c) The housing and employment status of each person served, at the time that the person leaves the transitional housing program.

(d) Any other information that the department determines to be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the transitional housing program operated by the recipient.

1991 a. 39 , 269 ; 1997 a. 27 ; 1999 a. 9 ; 2001 a. 16 ; 2003 a. 33 s. 156 ; Stats. 2003 s. 560.9806; 2007 a. 20 ; 2011 a. 32 ss. 3455m to 3456m ; Stats. 2011 s. 16.306; 2013 a. 166 s. 76 . Cross-reference: See also ch. Adm 87 , Wis. adm. code.