Critical Assistance Program (CA)

The Critical Assistance Program (CA) is designed to provide direct financial assistance to reduce the housing costs of low- and moderate-income households.  Grant awards include administrative funds to support the housing activities, and may be used to provide housing counseling as well as staff salaries and other administrative necessities.

Prevention of homelessness is an important part of the HUD Continuum of Care philosophy however it is not an allowable activity for funding through the HUD Continuum of Care Supportive Housing Program.  Therefore, the Bureau of Supportive Housing (BSH) plans to use several hundred thousand to fund prevention activities including services that are concerned with housing counseling and eviction or foreclosure prevention in those parts of the state that are not served using HUD Emergency Shelter Grant or State funded Homeless Prevention funds.  The bureau encourages the coordination of CA prevention activities with existing local programs and expects the applicant agency to collaborate with agencies in local communities for the delivery of homelessness prevention services.

Rent and Security Deposits
Grantees may provide rental assistance to households in the form of security deposits, short-term rental subsidy, and/or utility costs. 

Foreclosure Prevention
Homeowners may receive assistance with payment of principal and interest on a mortgage loan that is in arrearage, property taxes, and utility arrearages.  The homeowner must show the ability to make future payments.

The grantee agency may use up to 15% of the award for administrative funds to support the housing activities.

Information regarding the Critical Assistance Program may be obtained by contacting Judy Wilcox at (608) 266-9388.

• Critical Assistance Application (Deadline September 5, 2006)
• Critical Assistance Application Instructions