Rock County approves $300,000 to cover denied HUD payment for Edgerton veterans housing project

The Rock County Board of Supervisors voted 23–3 on Sept. 11 to authorize $300,000 in county funds to cover a payment that Edgerton Community Outreach (ECO) had expected from a HOME program award but was denied after construction began without a signed contract.

ECO leaders and local veterans told the board the project at 210 West Fulton Street provides six affordable units for veterans and is occupied, but that an administrative lapse in the consortium’s grant process prevented the group from drawing down federal HOME funds. ECO representatives said local fundraising, private donations and the sale of a property have covered much of the project to date but that the $300,000 gap jeopardizes completion and stability for residents.

ECO representative Sarah Williams told the board that outreach followed county-contracted consultant guidance and relied on advice that a signed contract prior to construction was “not critical.” She said HUD later informed ECO that the absence of a signed contract before construction was “a non starter,” which blocked the grant payment. “The absence of a signed contract before construction began was the non starter,” Williams said.

Ray Oswald, president of ECO’s…