AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT - CLOSE – HOUSING (CDBG HOUSING) PROGRAM

Sauk County is participating in the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration CDBG-CLOSE Program. This program will allow Sauk County to apply for federal funds for up to three projects totaling the amount of the County’s Closeout Account, $978,793.

Due to rising costs and stagnant wages there is a need to address affordable housing for households and families earning less than $50,000 annually. Funds provided would be for the adaptive reuse of the South School building in Reedsburg. As the cost of living increases, additional burdens are placed on homeowners living off of fixed incomes. Seventy-six percent of the population over the age of 65 lives in an owner-occupied housing unit, of this, nearly one-in three are considered cost-burdened. Due to this, the redevelopment will focused on senior living. The site was identified as a prime opportunity for affordable housing redevelopment due to its location within the census tract which has the highest rates of poverty in Sauk County. In addition to affordable housing, a portion of the land will be donated to the City of Reedsburg to be used as a public park.

After due consideration, the Executive and Legislative Committee has recommended an application be submitted to the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration for the following project: Village of Rock Springs Flood Recovery Program New Municipal Building. The requesting amount for this project is $253,793. It is necessary for the Sauk County Board of Supervisors to approve the preparation and filing of an application for Sauk County to receive funds from this program only after holding a public hearing. The Sauk County Board of Supervisors will review the need for the proposed project and the benefits to be gained therefrom.