| Community Support: Housing |
The Winnebago Reservation lacks affordable housing for tribal members and those who could afford a monthly house payment have been forced to live elsewhere. Others do not have the funds to purchase a home because of the lack of down payment available to them. Ho-Chunk, Inc., HCCDC and the Winnebago Tribe have worked together to develop a Housing Down Payment Assistance Program that provides a significant portion of a standard down payment for a new homeowner. The homeowner does go through a special education course and must meet other criteria to qualify.
In addition, in 2010, Ho-Chunk, Inc. and the Winnebago Tribal Government have authorized a $1 million Housing Stimulus Program to set aside Ho-Chunk, Inc. dividends and other tax revenues to offer $50,000 in down payment assistance to up to 20 new homeowners who build a home on the Winnebago reservation. Through these combined efforts, housing on the reservation becomes more affordable and allows tribal members to start building the traditional wealth that other non-Native homeowners have always enjoyed.
Future projects planned include a Senior Living Housing Project in Ho-Chunk Village, additional private homes and multi-family units.
Ho-Chunk Village is the site of many of these new homes, although through these assistance programs, homes can be built anywhere on the reservation.
