MADISON-Gov. Jim Doyle recently announced 2004 grants totaling $1.95 million to 11 project sites throughout Wisconsin for Wisconsin Fresh Start (WFS) programs. The awards were made from the Wisconsin Fresh Start initiative administered by the Department of Commerce.

"The Wisconsin Fresh Start initiative invests in at-risk youth to help them turn their lives around and become active participants in our workforce and society," Gov. Doyle said. "These grants will provide participants with education and employment skills as they work on housing projects. Over 80 percent of project participants experience positive outcomes with many receiving educational awards for post high school learning. The homes and apartments they build will provide affordable, quality and energy-efficient housing for sale or rent to low-income people in their communities."

The funds were awarded from grants the Department of Commerce received from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Private Industry Council of Milwaukee County.

The following summarizes the awards:

Dr. Howard Fuller Education Foundation Milwaukee - $165,495
Dr. Howard Fuller Education Foundation will serve 10 participants in and produce a new single-family home in the Garfield subdivision of Milwaukee.

Northcott Neighborhood House Milwaukee - $165,495
Northcott Neighborhood House will serve 10 participants and produce a new single family home at 2548 N. 5th Street in Milwaukee.

ADVOCAP, Inc. Fond du Lac - $146,308
ADVOCAP will serve 9 participants and build a new three-bedroom single family home in Fond du Lac.

Ashland County Housing Authority Mellen - $197,500
Ashland County Housing Authority will serve 14 participants and produce a new single-family home in Mellen in Ashland County.

CAP Services, Inc. Wautoma - $197,500
CAP Services will serve 15 participants in 2004, and produce a new single-family home and two apartments in Wautoma.

Indianhead Community Action Agency Spooner - $252,500
Indianhead Community Action Agency will serve 10 participants and produce two housing units (a duplex) in the city of Spooner.

Renewal Unlimited, Inc. Portage - $187,500
Renewal will serve 12 participants and produce a new single family home in Portage.

Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Association (two crews) Wausau - $307,500
Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Association's two crews will serve 20 participants and build two new single family homes in Wausau.

Western Dairyland EOC (Eau Claire and Jackson Counties) Fall Creek and Hixton -$338,750
Western Dairyland - Eau Claire will serve 14 participants and build a single family home in Fall Creek. Western Dairyland-Jackson will serve 12 participants and building a new single family in Hixton.

The Department of Commerce administers a variety of housing programs. For more information, contact Bureau of Housing Director Martin Evanson at 608/267-2713.

-- Tony Hozeny

The newsletter is issued electronically every other month.

Please send comments or questions to Barbro McGinn, editor.