Winnebago County has selected the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation to assist in the development, implementation, and administration of the County’s Housing Development Revolving Loan Fund.
The Housing Development Revolving Loan Fund was created to accelerate housing development throughout Winnebago County through low-interest gap financing and public-private partnerships. The initiative combines $3.5 million from the Spirit Fund with a $1 million commitment from the Industrial Development Board, establishing a $4.5 million revolving loan fund intended to support housing development across the county.
The fund was designed as a sustainable financing mechanism, with loan repayments and interest earnings cycled back into future housing developments.
The Housing Revolving Loan Fund was developed in response to growing workforce and housing shortages throughout the region. County materials cited statewide projections estimating Wisconsin will require approximately 227,000 additional housing units and of that, including 10,000 in Winnebago County, to maintain and grow its workforce population.
A letter of support for the program submitted on behalf of GOEDC and private-sector supporters throughout Winnebago County noted that the shortage of attainable single-family housing impacts the region’s ability to recruit and retain employees, support local business growth, and maintain stable communities. GOEDC will assist with the operational development and implementation of the Housing Development Revolving Loan Fund in coordination with Winnebago County leadership and community stakeholders.
