Wausau committee approves MOU to outsource HUD-required homebuyer counseling

The City of Wausau Economic Development Committee on Dec. 2 approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (doing business as Findlay Home) to provide homebuyer education and HUD-required counseling services for the city's down-payment-assistance clients.

City staff described the MOU as a cost-saving measure that will allow a HUD-certified housing counselor (Shannon) to refocus on other grant and block-grant work. "Instead of us providing the necessary counseling, we can outsource it to an agency very inexpensively," a staff member said, adding: "we would agree to pay for their service, and it will save us money in the long run." The MOU establishes a partnership page for city clients; the city will pay for counseling services for clients who use its down-payment assistance program.

Language access concerns: Alder Killian raised whether services would be available to the city's Hmong population. Staff said no statewide provider currently offers Hmong-language housing counseling, and that one-on-one sessions would rely on interpreters; staff said the city would pay for interpreters when the client is participating in the city's program. Committee members noted local supports such as the Hmong American Center and a local Hmong-speaking lender who has assisted in the past.

Vote and next steps: Alder Killian moved to approve the MOU; the motion was seconded and the committee approved it by voice vote. Staff said they will set up the partnership page and continue coordination with local partners to improve language access for clients who need it.

Sources: committee discussion and staff presentation, Dec. 2, 2025 Economic Development Committee meeting.