News Community Orgs Grants Housing
Area Orgs Seek Federal Funding From City of Eau Claire For Low-Income Focused Programs
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Program could fund a number of local initiatives
Evelyn Nelson, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
As of January this year, City of Eau Claire staff have been in the process of drafting their 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan, a document outlining the city's priorities, initiatives, and specific funding actions to be completed during the fiscal year. That includes funding provided by the federal government, to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Program.
These federal funds are intended to support a range of community development activities that benefit low-income individuals and areas in entitlement cities.
The City of Eau Claire Housing Division has been a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement city since 1977, according to the city’s Housing Division.
In the context of federal funding, an entitlement city — like Eau Claire — can be defined as a city that may receive direct funding from HUD for community development projects, Jessica Oleson-Bue, the housing authority executive director for the city, said. This entitlement status is tied to population thresholds and the city's economic advancements throughout the area.
“It's great to see and to know the good work that's happening because of the federal funds that are made available to the city of Eau Claire.”
Jessica oleson-bue
housing authority executive director, city of eau claire housing division
HUD funding — including the CDBG and HOME programs — provides the opportunity for grantees “to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward improving community facilities and services,” the City of Eau Claire website reads.
Funding from the housing authority bridges the gap between low-income applicants and community resources, according to Oleson-Bue.
The City of Eau Claire Housing Division accepted funding requests from community-based organizations who provide resources to low-income city residents from January through March this year. An informal meeting for applicant presentations was held at 2pm on Monday, March 31, in the North Conference Room at City Hall (203 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire).
The March 31 meeting provided applicants an opportunity to share additional details about the initiatives they may implement or continue if awarded funding from the CDBG and HOME programs.
The 2024-2025 CDBG and HOME applicants received a divided sum of $660,964 (CDBG) and $258,124 (HOME) for a range of pre-determined categories, including Affordable Housing Development, Planning and Administration, Rehabilitation, and Intensified Housing Code Enforcement.
For the CDBG grant, Public Services — the largest category, where applicants like The Community Table and Bolton Refuge House are included — received a total sum of $99,100 spread across 10 organizations last fiscal year.
Many of the same organizations that applied last year will be re-applying for the 2025-2026 cycle, largely for similar funding application, according to the CDBG and HOME partnership worksheets provided by the city.
“It is really humbling to see the results of this funding,” Oleson-Bue said. “It's great to see and to know the good work that's happening because of the federal funds that are made available to the city of Eau Claire.”
Community-driven organizations present at the March 31 meeting included the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic, The Community Table, Western Dairyland EOC, Inc., Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity, and the Eau Claire Tennant Landlord Resource Center.
“From my own personal experience, it's been very humbling to sit here and listen to everyone's (presentations)."
Robin Barnhardt
development director of Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity
Two proposals were presented by Western Dairyland EOC, Inc. The first proposal focused on entrepreneurship training and financial planning for female-identifying persons. The second proposal targeted maintenance costs for housing and shelter offered to the unhoused population Western Dairyland serves.
Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity's presentation requested support to partially fund the construction of a single- or two-family home in Eau Claire, as part of organization's ongoing efforts to address the need for affordable housing in the area.
Most organizations said they would aim to improve access to childcare resources for families; ensure the continued staffing of essential positions through volunteer or full-time opportunities; and conduct thorough assessments of homes within the city.
A complete list of applicants and their proposed funding requests will become available to the public for comments and feedback in the near future, Oleson-Bue said.
“From my own personal experience, it's been very humbling to sit here and listen to everyone's (presentations),” Robin Barnhardt, development director of the Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity, said. “It's amazing the good work that's going on in this community, that doesn't get the recognition that it really deserves — this has been a really neat experience.”
The remaining dates of public comment period and public hearings for the 2025-2026 CDBG and HOME applicants include:
30-Day Public Comment Period: Between May 9 and June 9, the annual action plan will be available for public review on the City of Eau Claire’s website.
Staff Public Hearing: At 2pm on Wednesday, May 28, in the City Council Chamber (203 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire), a public hearing will commence to address comments from the public on the funding priorities of the Annual Action Plan. Residents of the city of Eau Claire are encouraged to submit feedback on any aspect of the CDBG and HOME programs funding to Program Specialist Lauren Hasmuk (Lauren.Hasmuk@eauclairewi.gov).
Final Approval: At 4pm on Tuesday, June 10, in the City Council Chamber (203 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire), the council will review public comments and applications submitted by local entities to approve and deny funding from the federal grants allocated to the city — provided to entities targeting low-income areas within the city’s infrastructure.
For updated information on the CDBG and HOME proposals and applications, visit the City of Eau Claire services website. Questions on the public comment period, or community involvement, can be directed to Lauren Hasmuk, CDBG/HOME program specialist, at Lauren.Hasmuk@eauclairewi.gov.
