MADISON (WKOW) -- On Wednesday, Governor Walker announced 10 Wisconsin cities will be awarded nearly $1 million for demolition of blighted residential properties.
The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) are awarding the money with funds made available from proceeds of the National Mortgage Settlement.
"Today's announcement and the subsequent follow-up work will re-energize deteriorated areas of Wisconsin," Governor Walker said. "Clearing blighted properties from our communities will pave the way for continued economic development, job creation, and restore a better quality of life."
Under the Strategic Blight Elimination Program, $500,000 was made available for demolition projects in Milwaukee and another $500,000 was earmarked for projects in other Wisconsin cities. The program is administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). Funds will be available for disbursement to applicant awardees beginning Friday, August 17.
"WHEDA is delighted to play a key role in administering this critical program breathing new life into neighborhoods across Wisconsin," WHEDA Executive Director Wyman Winston said. "These blighted areas need attention. I'm hopeful WHEDA and DFI can move provide the resources necessary to begin an economic revival."
The 39 units that will be demolished in Milwaukee will support the Transform Milwaukee Initiative. The 26 units that will be demolished in other cities are located in Racine, La Crosse, Oshkosh, Wausau, Stoughton, Baraboo, River Falls, Granton, and Monroe.
"Vacant, dilapidated houses adversely impact property values in many communities across Wisconsin," DFI Secretary Peter Bildsten said. "Eliminating some of their distressed properties should help these Wisconsin cities improve property values and make for safer neighborhoods."
The program targeted properties representing a pronounced safety issue, occupying a parcel that will be immediately repurposed for a broader strategic development plan, or inhibiting the re-emergence of a neighborhood. Governmental units, quasi-governmental entities, and non-profits were eligible to apply.
