Waunakee CDA lowers minimum eligible project value for Betterment Fund to $2,000

The Waunakee Community Development Authority on Monday voted to lower the Waunakee Housing Betterment Fund’s minimum eligible project value from $4,000 to $2,000, a change that will allow a minimum grant of approximately $1,000 under the program’s 50/50 cost-share structure.

Staff told the CDA that recent delays in property-assessment data postponed a direct-mail outreach campaign and that the program had attracted few applicants. "We still have not sent out our mailer because, when the property values changed this year there was several residents wanting to discuss that with the assessor," a program staff member said, and recommended lowering the threshold to help residents afford smaller repairs.

Board members reacted that loosening the threshold could increase uptake. "Anything we can do to spend this money — we haven't been getting very many applicants," Todd said, supporting the change. Staff clarified how the match works: applicants pay half the cost and the CDA pays the contractor directly to avoid large upfront loans for homeowners.

At the same meeting, members stressed administrative capacity as a constraint: smaller grants would increase application review and program administration. The CDA agreed it could revisit the threshold later if demand or costs warranted.

The motion to lower the eligible project value to $2,000 was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded. Staff said they will proceed with outreach once assessment data are available and monitor the program for needed adjustments.