Medicaid: Housing Support Services Health Services Initiative

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) housing support services program is for families with children 18 years and younger and individuals who are pregnant. In partnership with homeless assistance providers, DHS will provide support to those experiencing homelessness find and sustain stable housing.

Grant awardees

After reviewing applications, DHS selected eight homeless assistance providers, known as Continuum of Care agencies, to implement housing support services for their areas.

One agency each from the Dane, Racine, and Milwaukee Continuum of Care regions and five agencies throughout the Balance of State Continuum of Care region will collaborate with housing providers to deliver supportive housing services. The awarded agencies are:

• Dane Continuum of Care region: YWCA Madison
• Racine Continuum of Care region: Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization (HALO)
• Milwaukee Continuum of Care region: Community Advocates
• Balance of the State Continuum of Care region
  • CW Solutions, LCC
  • Family Promise of Washington County
  • House of Hope Green Bay
  • Renewal Unlimited, Inc.
  • Shalom Center of Interfaith Network

  Who may be eligible?

  Selected Continuum of Care agencies will collaborate with housing providers to support eligible populations. The target population include members who meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be part of a household with dependent children 18 years and younger or be pregnant;
  • Consent to participate in the program within the Continuum of Care agency service area;
  • Have family income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level;
  • Meet the criteria for any of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) four categories under 42 U.S.C. 11302. of homelessness including:
    • Category 1: Literally Homeless
    • Category 2: Imminent Risk of Homelessness
    • Category 3: Homeless under Other Federal Statutes
    • Category 4: Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence

    What services are available to eligible families?

    Those eligible will be able to access the following supportive housing services:

    • Housing consultations that will prepare families by developing a housing support plan
    • Transition supports that help families prepare for and make the move to new housing
    • Relocation supports that provide financial support to help families move from temporary living spaces to their own housing
    • Sustaining supports that assist families with keeping their housing, after they move