Committee Approves Affordable‑Housing Awards Including First‑time Ho‑Chunk Participation

The Finance Committee on Feb. 16, 2026 unanimously approved Legistar 91615 to award Affordable Housing Fund, HOME Investment Partnerships, CDBG and levy funds to support development of up to 27 affordable owner‑occupied housing units, five homeownership service programs and the sale of 10 city‑owned vacant residential lots, and authorized the mayor and clerk to execute agreements to implement the approved activities.

President Biddiver asked whether the Ho‑Chunk Nation had applied for these funds previously; Director O'Keefe said it is the first time the Ho‑Chunk Nation has submitted an application for this type of project. A resident question relayed by an alder asked why the fiscal note did not account for the market value of property that the city is selling for $1; Director O'Keefe responded that transfers of property for nominal consideration have been treated as contributions toward projects in past practice and that fiscal notes typically do not list market value in that context.

Alder members also raised a resident concern that development costs cited in proposals may exceed typical market rates; staff said development proposals will be reviewed closely, developers will be expected to adhere to budgets and that the funded projects will deliver permanent affordability for the units produced.

The committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the awards. Staff did not record amendments in public session.