Senior Housing. Rural, central Wisconsin has a disproportionately higher percentage of aging adults than the nation as a whole.
Many are at the stage in their lives where they no longer are able or want to live in single-family housing, but they want to live
in the communities in which they lived and raised their families. In 2001, CAP developed its first Low Income Housing Tax Credit
(LIHTC) project in Montello, Wisconsin, after convincing funders and investors that smaller senior housing projects
(fewer than 24 units) could be financially viable in rural Wisconsin. Since then, CAP has developed 290 units of affordable
senior housing using the LIHTC in 10 rural communities. Four of the projects were developed in partnership with three other
Wisconsin Community Action Agencies. The success of CAP's approach is demonstrated by occupancy rates averaging 97%.
Typically two units in each complex are rented to seniors of any income, and the balance is leased to households with
incomes at or below 60% of county median. CAP tries to develop two to four LIHTC projects per year.
Family Housing. CAP offers 106 units of affordable family housing in Marquette, Portage, Waushara and Wood counties.
Projects like Oakridge, Bird Creek and Southtown Terrace in Wautoma have been recognized for CAP's ability to renovate
with tenants "in-place."
Special Needs. CAP's special needs housing program involves a partnership with individual county departments of human services.
CAP develops four-unit adult family housing and the county guarantees occupancy, provides support services, and pays an operating subsidy.
An analysis of savings by individual counties has found savings of $200 to $300 per month per resident in a CAP unit compared to group
homes and up to $3,000 per resident per month compared to institutional care.
CAP offers 64 units of special needs housing in Marquette, Outagamie, Portage, Waupaca and Waushara counties.
Transitional Housing. Victims of domestic abuse who choose to live apart from their abuser can enroll in
CAP's Transitional Living Program. Participants pay a sliding-scale rent (never more than 30% of their income) and receive
intensive family development services, job training, health services, and childcare. CAP offers transitional living units in
New London Stevens Point, Waupaca, Wautoma and Westfield. Two floating units are available and make use of
CAP's other rental housing on an as needed basis.
For additional information, contact:
Beth Barr, Assistant Director of Housing
877.377.1434
rentals@capmail.org
