CDBG & HOME
Programs
Federal grants and low-interest loans that help lower-income families buy, repair, and improve homes across Dane County. Administered locally, and John helps you find what fits.
What are CDBG and HOME programs in Madison and Dane County, Wisconsin?
Quick answer: CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HOME Investment Partnerships are federal programs, administered by local governments, that provide grants, zero-interest loans, and deferred loans for home purchases, repairs, and improvements to households earning at or below 80% of area median income. In Dane County they are run through the City of Madison and the county, funding is limited and first-come, and John helps you find what is available.
· · Serving Madison, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Verona, Waunakee & DeForest
Federal help, administered locally
CDBG and HOME are two federal programs, managed by local governments, designed to make homeownership and safe housing achievable for working families in Madison and Dane County. Together they can help with down payments, critical repairs, accessibility, and more, often for households at or below 80% of the area median income.
CDBG
Community Development Block Grant funds housing and neighborhood needs.
HOME
HOME Investment Partnerships help buy, build, and repair affordable homes.
Grants and loans
Help can be a grant, a deferred loan, or a low or zero-interest loan.
Local offices
Administered by the City of Madison and Dane County, first-come, first-served.
What the funds can do
From down payment assistance to major repairs, these programs cover a wide range of housing needs for Dane County homeowners and buyers.
Down payment help
Down payment and closing-cost assistance for first-time buyers.
Critical repairs
Roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC repairs that keep a home safe.
Accessibility
Ramps, grab bars, and wider doorways that enable aging in place.
Energy efficiency
Insulation, efficient windows, and heating that lower monthly bills.
Lead-paint removal
Essential safety upgrades for older Madison-area homes.
Major rehab
Bringing substandard homes up to safe, livable condition.
Grants, deferred, or low-interest
The assistance can take several forms depending on the program and your situation.
How help is structured
- Grants that are never repaid
- Deferred loans repaid only when you sell or move
- Low-interest loans below market rate
- Zero-interest loans, principal repaid over time
- Combination packages for maximum benefit
Basic requirements
- Household income at or below 80% of area median
- Owner-occupied primary residence
- Property in an eligible area
- U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
- May require homebuyer education
Federal housing help
in Dane County.
Funding is limited and first-come, so getting pre-qualified before you shop matters. John helps you understand what is available and line it up with the right home.
How to apply
Check your income eligibility
Confirm your household income is at or below 80% of area median for your household size.
Contact your local office
City of Madison residents work with the Community Development Division; others work with Dane County.
See what is currently funded
Ask which programs and assistance types are available this year, since funding changes.
Submit your application
Provide income verification and complete any required homebuyer education.
Property review
Many repair and rehab programs require an inspection before approval.
Receive your assistance
Approved grants or loans are structured per program guidelines and applied to your housing costs.
How John helps you use it
Local, hands-on, and lender-agnostic
John works with Dane County buyers every day and can help you understand which local assistance programs might fit, then connect you with the right offices and a lender who knows how to pair them with your mortgage. He is not tied to any single lender, so he focuses on getting you the most help and the right home in Madison, Sun Prairie, Waunakee, DeForest, Verona, or Middleton. New to buying? Start with the First-Time Homebuyer Guide.
Explore other loan programs
Downpayment Plus
Up to $10,000 forgivable toward down payment and costs.
WHEDA
Wisconsin first-time buyer loans plus down payment help.
FHA Loans
3.5% down and flexible credit while you build.
USDA Loans
$0 down for eligible rural and suburban areas near Madison.
Movin’ Out
Homeownership help for households with a disability.
All Programs
See every buyer loan program side by side.
Frequently asked questions
What are CDBG and HOME programs?
Who qualifies for CDBG and HOME in Wisconsin?
What can CDBG and HOME funds be used for?
Are CDBG and HOME grants or loans?
How do I apply for CDBG or HOME in Dane County?
Can CDBG or HOME be combined with a loan program?
Get housing help
in Dane County
Whether you are buying your first home or making critical repairs, federal funding may be available. A quick conversation with John points you the right way.
CDBG and HOME program availability, assistance amounts, and eligibility are set by federal, state, and local administrators and change year to year based on funding. Assistance generally targets households at or below 80% of area median income for owner-occupied primary residences. Programs are administered locally through the City of Madison Community Development Division and Dane County. Local market figures reflect South Central Wisconsin MLS (SCWMLS) Dane County data as of June 2026 and are examples, not a quote. Confirm current terms with the local administering office and a licensed lender. Integrity Homes helps you compare programs and win the right home; it does not originate loans or administer these programs.