The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) joined the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) today in Milwaukee to recognize three of the 14 Wisconsin organizations receiving grants through the Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program (HCRP): Acts Housing, Housing Resources Inc. and United Community Center.

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Representatives from FHLBank Chicago, WHEDA, Acts Housing, Housing Resources Inc. and United Community Center gather in Milwaukee for a check presentation recognizing grant funding through FHLBank Chicago’s Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program.

Representatives from FHLBank Chicago, WHEDA, Acts Housing, Housing Resources Inc. and United Community Center gather in Milwaukee for a check presentation recognizing grant funding through FHLBank Chicago’s Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program.

The grants, funded by FHLBank Chicago and administered by WHEDA in Wisconsin, expand access to housing counseling services that prepare individuals and families for successful, sustainable homeownership and support FHLBank Chicago members with a pipeline of mortgage-ready applicants.

The HCRP strengthens the capacity of HUD-certified housing counseling agencies across Illinois and Wisconsin. FHLBank Chicago funds the program through partnerships with WHEDA in Wisconsin and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) in Illinois, helping agencies provide financial education, credit preparation, homebuyer education and individualized guidance for prospective and current homeowners.

“Successful homeownership requires more than overcoming affordability barriers. It also requires preparation, trusted guidance and local organizations that can meet families where they are,” said Katie Naftzger, SVP and Community Investment Officer at FHLBank Chicago. “Through HCRP and our partnerships with WHEDA and IHDA, we are proud to support agencies like Acts Housing, Housing Resources Inc. and United Community Center as they help more Wisconsin families take informed, confident steps toward homeownership.”

Since its launch in 2022, through year-end 2025, the HCRP has awarded $13 million to strengthen housing counseling across Illinois and Wisconsin. Supported agencies provided services to more than 105,000 households, with nearly 9,000 achieving homeownership. In 2025, the program supported 44 HUD-certified housing counseling agencies across the two states.

“WHEDA brings deep expertise and relationships across Wisconsin, while housing counseling agencies provide trusted and personal guidance directly in the communities they serve,” said Elmer Moore Jr., CEO and Executive Director of WHEDA. “These grants strengthen that network and help more Wisconsin families confidently navigate the path to successful homeownership.”

Acts Housing, Housing Resources Inc. and United Community Center will use the funding to strengthen housing counseling services for individuals and families in the Milwaukee area.

“This funding strengthens our ability to provide individualized guidance that helps people prepare financially and navigate the homebuying process,” said T.J. Cobb, VP Programs at Acts Housing. “That preparation can make a meaningful difference as families work toward successful homeownership.”

The impact of housing counseling is reflected in homebuyers like Sandra Smith, who received counseling through Acts Housing while preparing to purchase a home. Sandra also received a $10,000 Downpayment Plus® (DPP®) grant from FHLBank Chicago through member Great Midwest Bank in Brookfield, Wisconsin, to help with down payment and closing costs.

“Housing counseling helped me understand the process, prepare financially and feel confident about the decisions I was making,” said Sandra. “Having that support made homeownership feel achievable.”

The HCRP is part of FHLBank Chicago’s broader approach to expanding homeownership opportunities through its member-owned cooperative model. By strengthening housing counseling agencies and connecting prospective homebuyers with trusted guidance earlier in the process, the program helps create a stronger path from financial preparation to mortgage financing. Programs like DPP provide additional support along that path, helping eligible homebuyers with down payment and closing costs.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

FHLBank Chicago is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with a focus on providing solutions that support the housing and community development needs of members’ customers. FHLBank Chicago is a self-capitalizing cooperative, owned by its Illinois and Wisconsin members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. To learn more about FHLBank Chicago, please visit fhlbc.com.

Community First, Downpayment Plus and DPP are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

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