For ten years, the City of Janesville has been working with a non-profit housing developer, Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development (WPHD), to rehabilitate and construct residential housing units.

During this time, The City has facilitated the rehabilitation of seventeen homes and construction of seven new homes resold to low and moderate-income homebuyers. These projects have resulted in $1,928,800 of new tax valuation, an average of $80,366/unit. In addition, the partnership has rehabilitated ten rental units.

WPHD’s latest new construction project on Cherry Street is nearly complete and will be offered for sale shortly. Many of these properties were initially acquired by the City through the Rock County Tax Foreclosure Program. Under this program, Rock County forecloses on properties four or more years delinquent on their property taxes, and the City has a first right to purchase the properties before the public auction. Under State Statute, the City may acquire tax-foreclosed properties for a price equal to the delinquent taxes, special assessments and charges, interest, and closing costs.

The City Council approved transferring two vacant lots to WPHD at their meeting on September 27.