Janesville CDA recommends 2026 housing action plan, approves related grant and rent-assistance budgets

The Janesville Community Development Authority on Oct. 15 recommended the 2026 Annual Action Plan to the Janesville City Council and approved a set of related state, federal and housing program budgets intended to preserve and expand affordable housing in Janesville and partner jurisdictions.

The action plan and budgets direct federal CDBG and HOME funding, authorize a larger down-payment assistance award for first-time buyers, and fund rehabilitation and new construction projects. Kelly, a CDA staff member presenting the plan, said the city and partners continue to face a shortage of affordable housing and that the plan follows priorities in the 2025–2029 consolidated plan.

The plan proposes continuing the Revive and Thrive exterior-repair program, which staff said could support about 20 exterior rehabilitation projects if funding matches expectations. The CDA packet shows a Revive and Thrive allocation of $390,000 for 2026; staff said that category includes direct contractor costs and program administration. Under that program, owner-occupied repairs can include windows, roofs and siding and are deferred loans of up to $25,000 that are repayable when a property is sold or transferred.

The authority recommended increasing the HOME down-payment and closing-cost…