GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay organizations are teaming up to provide prospective employees with down payment grants for new homes.
NeighborWorks Green Bay has partnered with Greater Green Bay Chamber and the city to lure people here.
Eligible home buyers can now participate in the program, Great Being Home. The program has received $250,000 to give to people to help them buy homes in Green Bay.
“This program over the next three years will help an additional 100 families buy homes at least, and it may grow far beyond that,” says President and CEO of NeighborWorks Green Bay, Noel Halvorsen.
Eligible buyers must be one of three types of employees:
Employees of the City of Green Bay.
Employees of Green Bay headquartered nonprofits and businesses with 25 or fewer employees.
Employees of larger Green Bay employers who contribute to this program.
Employers interested in participating can email greatbeinghome@nwgreenbay.org.
Applicants who meet the requirements will receive a $5,000 grant to put towards a home.
In addition to other assistance programs already offered, they could qualify for up to $10,000.
“This $250,000 coming from the American Rescue Plan Funds that the city of Green Bay has received, that they have allocated to this, so we are really excited, but we’re going to pair those dollars with dollars that we received from other sources and with funds coming from some of the city’s employers as well,” says Halvorsen.
Mayor Eric Genrich tells FOX 11 not only will this program strengthen neighborhoods and increase homeownership, it will also bring more people to work in Green Bay.
“I think something that all communities are facing across the state of Wisconsin, across the nation, is a talent attraction issue trying to find people to bring to the community, to work for local employers, to participate in community life — so, whatever we can do to make Green Bay attractive.”
According to the Wisconsin Realtors Association, the median price for a home in Brown County is $285,000.
“Homeownership isn’t just a problem for the employee to figure out after they move to the community to get the job or do something else, it’s a critical part of attraction,” says Halvorsen.
The program requirements include:
Applicants must complete pre-purchase education and counseling through NeighborWorks Green Bay.
Grants may be used for down payment, closing costs and home repair costs.
Purchased home can be existing or new construction and can be one to two units.
Purchased home must be owner occupied and serve as the primary residence of the buyer.
Purchased home must be located within the city of Green Bay.
For buyers above 80% of median income, purchased home must be in a Qualified Census Tract.
To participate or learn more email greatbeinghome@nwgreenbay.org.
