Division Administrator Housing Accessibility and Affordability, Casey Becker
Hi DCDHS heroes!
My name is Casey Becker (she/her) and I’m the Division Administrator of the Housing Access and Affordability Division, which was created in 2020. Our team of dynamic and dedicated individuals engage in community collaborations to impact positive systems change, develop and administer programs, and manage grants, in partnership with agencies across Dane County that serve our neighbors. Some of our main areas of focus are preventing and ending homelessness, increasing access to affordable housing and homeownership, and supporting economic and workforce development. Most folks tend to associate us with our housing and homelessness work, but
in this month’s newsletter, we’re going to highlight some of the other work we support.
Casey joined Dane County Executive, Joe Parisi's Podcast in February. Take a listen or watch their conversation.
The Dane County Major Home Rehabilitation program helps people stay in their homes longer by taking on large rehabilitation projects that prioritize the safety and health of the home owner. Projects can range from updating doors and windows to installing ramps, replacing tubs with standing shower modules, repairing major issues with plumbing and electrical, and much more. The projects are zero percent
loans, with deferred payments. Combined with the Minor Home Repair program, in 2023, Dane County will oversee the allocation of $350,000 to support home improvements for people with a low to medium household income.
One such major home repair helped an aging Dane County resident, stay in her home for an additional 10 years. Her daughter recently reached out to express appreciation to Dane County’s Joanna Cervantes, CDBG/HOME Program Specialist within the Housing Access & Affordability Division, who oversees the program. Cervantes explained that the program’s strength is the zero percent interest with deferred payments which are paid upon home sale, transfer of ownership, or the owner no longer lives on the property. Cervantes commented, “This program has done wonders for people in this community. She was able to stay in her home for 10 years longer because of this program, by adding safety features, moving her washer and dryer to the main level, and putting a new roof on her home.” She added, “Our partner, Project Home, works with the homeowners to make their house more energy efficient. For people on a fixed income, this helps keep their monthly bills low.”
The Major Home Rehabilitation program (a zero percent interest, deferred payment loan, $5,001-24,999), along with the similar program for minor repairs (a grant up to $5,000), are funded through the Dane County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program to assist residents within the communities who are part of the Dane County Urban County Consortium.
In order to qualify for the Dane County program, you must own and live in your own home within Dane County, outside of the city of Madison. Your home cannot be in foreclosure, and cannot exceed 95% of the Dane County Median Purchase Price, and gross income cannot exceed 80% of the Dane County Median Income. If you are interested in more information, to see if you qualify for the program, and to apply, visit: www.projecthomewi.org.
