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Wisconsin Native Homeownership Coalition

The Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC) has developed a statewide Native Homeownership Coalition in Wisconsin.

 

This effort recognizes the impact of similar Native homeownership coalitions in other states, and builds on the power of Native communities to collaborate with key stakeholders to create innovative solutions to overcome the real challenges to Native homeownership in Wisconsin and across Indian Country.

 

The key partners for the statewide coalition movement in Wisconsin include Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities, Native CDFIs and other lenders, nonprofits, and federal and state agencies.

 

Each of these stakeholders holds a piece of the puzzle, and a commitment to increasing homeownership. Coming together through a coalition, stakeholders can more effectively tackle the barriers that stand in the way of Native families becoming homeowners.

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These Efforts Reveal:

  • Considerable housing development experience in every Tribal community and experience with developments financed by the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program in many Native communities;

  • Varying levels of homebuyer education and preparation; and

  • The need to promote existing loan products, including USDA’s 502 mortgage loan, the HUD Section 184 mortgage loan product, the VA’s Native American Direct Loan, Fannie Mae’s Native American Conventional Loan Initiative, Freddie Mac’s HeritageOne product, and other mortgage loan products originated by the Wisconsin Native Loan Fund.

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Read the Wisconsin Native Homeownership Assessment Report

The report presents findings from three data-gathering efforts:

  1. An online survey of homeownership practitioners,

  2. Asset mapping conversations with housing stakeholders from each of Wisconsin’s 11 Tribal communities, and

  3. Key stakeholder interviews with others involved in Wisconsin’s Native homeownership process.

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Through the online survey, respondents provided input on different elements of homeownership, including how it is promoted, its importance, barriers, and obstacles to homebuyer readiness. They also provided input on the demand for home financing and the most needed financial resources. Looking at the development of a homeownership coalition, respondents shared input on challenges to a coalition’s work, as well as suggested coalition activities.  Key stakeholder interviews focused on barriers to homeownership, as well as possibilities on the horizon for homeownership.

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To Date, the Coalition Efforts Include:

  • An online survey of stakeholders;

  • Asset mapping conversations with housing leadership to identify homeownership assets, gaps and trends in Tribal communities;

  • Discussions with stakeholders to examine best practices, barriers and potential coalition structures; and

  • Established a Steering Committee for the Homeownership Coalition.

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