Housing Programs

 

 

Purpose:
The City of Ripon In-Fill Housing Development Program (“Program”) is established to encourage the construction of new housing on vacant or under-utilized residentially zoned lots within the older, established areas of the city. This Program implements key recommendations of the City of Ripon Housing Study and Market Analysis by facilitating small-scale, infill development that supports neighborhood revitalization and efficient use of existing infrastructure. In-fill development increases housing density in already established areas of the city, promotes the revitalization of older neighborhoods, and is more cost-effective by utilizing existing public utilities and infrastructure. By focusing on these areas, the City supports reinvestment in neighborhoods that are already served by streets, water, sewer, and other municipal services, avoiding the added cost of extending infrastructure to new development sites.

 

Program Goals:

 

• Support reinvestment in older neighborhoods.
• Promote efficient use of existing public infrastructure and services.
• Increase the availability of quality, market-rate housing options.
• Provide financial assistance to offset development costs for in-fill housing.

 

Program Funding:
The Program will be initially funded from the City’s TID Housing Extension Fund. Funding availability is subject to change based on City budget allocations and TID revenue availability.

 

Eligible Project Area:
Projects must be located within the City of Ripon on residentially zoned (R-1, R-2, or R-3) vacant or under-utilized lots in older parts of the city.

The following areas are excluded and not eligible for funding:

 

• Sandmar Subdivision
• Rolling Hills Subdivision

 

Eligible Property Types:
Only new construction of the following housing types are eligible:

 

• Single-Family Homes
• Duplexes (Two-Family Homes)

 

Multi-family developments (three or more units) are not eligible.

 

Incentive Amount:
The City will provide a reimbursement incentive of up to $10,000 per dwelling unit to assist with eligible development costs. For example:

 

• A single-family home is eligible for up to $10,000.
• A duplex is eligible for up to $20,000 (i.e., $10,000 per unit).

 

Eligible Costs:
Reimbursable costs include:

 

• City permitting fees;
• City utility connection fees (water, sewer);
• Private lateral connection costs (water, sewer);
• Electrical and gas utility connection costs; and
• Street and sidewalk repair or restoration costs related to utility connections.

 

Application Submission:

 

Applicants must submit a complete Program Application along with their building permit application.

 

The City will review the application for eligibility and funding availability at the time of submission.

 

Applicants will receive a preliminary commitment letter confirming conditional eligibility, subject to receiving a certificate of occupancy and submission of final documentation.

 

Reimbursement Request:

 

Following the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the applicant must submit a reimbursement request form, including:

 

• Proof of payment for eligible costs
• Copies of invoices and receipts
• Final building permit documentation

 

Funds will be reimbursed by the City within 60 days of receipt of all required documentation.

 

Funding Timeline:

 

All approved funds must be used within 24 months of the building permit being issued. Funds not reimbursed within this period shall be forfeited and returned to the Program fund balance.

 

Additional Requirements:

 

• All projects must comply with applicable zoning regulations and receive all necessary approvals and permits.
• Properties must be developed in accordance with City building codes and ordinances.
• Developers must be in good standing with the City (e.g., no outstanding taxes, fees, or code violations).

 

Program Administration:
This Program shall be administered by the City Administrator’s office. The City Administrator, or their designee, shall have the authority to interpret and implement program guidelines and to approve or deny funding based on eligibility and availability.

 

For questions regarding the program, please contact:

 

Adam Sonntag, City Administrator
City of Ripon
100 Jackson St.

 

Ripon, WI  54971
(920) 748-4914

 

asonntag@cityofripon.com

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 Ripon First Housing Program

Now Accepting Applications! 

The Ripon First Housing Program (RFHP) focuses on bringing home ownership within reach to families and individuals who are buying a home for the first time. RFHP offers qualifying first-time homeowners with down payment assistance for purchasing a new home in the city. The program is designed to help close the affordability gap for many lower income households currently unable to purchase their first home without assistance. Funds from the program will be available in the form of a one-time forgivable loan. Grants will be funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, to the extent funds are available, in Ripon, at the sole discretion of the City of Ripon. The initial funding allocation for the program shall not exceed $15,000.00. Important byproducts of the program include attracting new and diverse residents to the community and addressing employer workforce retention challenges. 

Eligibility Requirements: Eligible applicants will be first-time home buyers seeking to purchase a home within the City of Ripon. First-time home buyer is defined as an individual or an individual and his or her spouse who have not had ownership interest in a property prior to the purchase of a home with program funds. Any individual who is a single parent may not be excluded from consideration as a first-time home buyer under this program on the basis that the individual, while married, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse. The primary applicant must be 18 years old or older and have the minimum income necessary to qualify for a loan from a lender. If married, both spouses must apply for the grant and loan from a lender. There are no income restrictions on applying for this program. Applicants may only pay up to 30% of their gross monthly income for a housing payment, including principal, interest, insurance and taxes. Applicants must prove the existence of a legitimate primary mortgage lender or other financing acceptable to the City of Ripon. At the time of application, the homebuyer must have an accepted sales contract. A property inspection is required for this program. Homes eligible under this program include single-family homes, single-family condo units, and twin-homes in Ripon. Applicants must intend to use the property purchased as their principal residence and must live in the property on a year-round basis.

Eligible Uses of Grant Funds: Funds may be used for down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time home buyers purchasing a single-family home, single-family condo unit, or twin-home in the City of Ripon. Mobile home purchase is not an eligible use. All decisions regarding grant fund disbursements, grant eligibility, and the uses of grant funds will be made by the City Administrator’s office.

Grant Terms and Conditions: If funding is available, the maximum amount of grant, in the form of a deferred loan, will be five thousand dollars ($5,000). Applicant(s) must be prepared to commit to living primarily in the property for a minimum of three (3) years. The program provides a grant, in the form of a deferred loan, for down payment and reasonable closing costs. The deferred loan shall not exceed $5,000. A lien or second mortgage will be placed upon the property for three (3) years and will be released, provided the owner(s) maintain and occupy the property as their primary residence and do not rent or sell the property within three (3) years. If the property is sold or rented within the 3-year period, the owner shall return all the financial assistance received. The amount is not pro-rated. If sold the full amount of assistance due back will be paid out of the net proceeds at closing. The program will allow for loan subordinations for the purpose of refinancing to a lower percentage rate or shorter loan term only. Applicant(s) must be approved for and obtain a first mortgage loan by an approved FHA, VA, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or Wisconsin licensed mortgage lender. Loan terms secured by housing under this program shall be considered reasonable in the local primary lending trade. The interest rate for the mortgage must be reasonable and customary. The homebuyer, mortgage lender, and settlement agent will be notified by the city that a check will be disbursed. The check will be issued to the settlement agent. The City of Ripon Administration office will keep record of the dates of grant approval and program awards. The City of Ripon reserves the right to take and use photographs, as well as develop project summaries of individual construction projects for publicity purposes.

For questions regarding the program, please contact: Adam Sonntag, City Administrator City of Ripon 100 Jackson St. Ripon, WI 54971 (920) 748-4914 asonntag@cityofripon.com. Program information is attached below. 

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 Sandmar Lot Sale Program

Currently Not Accepting Applications

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 CDBG HOUSING PROGRAM

The City of Ripon recently received notice of another Community Development Block Grant for Housing Rehabilitation. The funds will be loaned at 0% interest to eligible households for home repairs. Applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis. There is no cost to fill out an application and all information submitted is strictly confidential.

 

Funds are available for the following types of projects:

 

HOMEOWNERS

These funds will be lent to eligible households for home repairs. The loan is a 0%, deferred payment loan – you do not pay it back until you sell the house or no longer live there.

TENANTS

Loans are available to assist with purchasing a home. The loan is a 0%, deferred payment loan – you do not pay it back until you sell the house or no longer live there. Funds can assist you with down payment and closing costs. There will also be funds available to make repairs to the home that you purchase.

LANDLORDS

Installment loans are available for landlords who rent to tenants that are low- to moderate- income. The loan is a 0% interest loan. Contact the program administrator for more details.

 

The loan can be used to make the following types of repairs:

☼	Handicap Accessibility	☼	Electrical Upgrades
☼	Replace Windows & Doors	☼	Connect Water & Sewer Lines
☼	Roofing	☼	Painting, Siding, Porch Repairs
☼	Lead-Based Paint Removal	☼	Other General Improvements
☼	Repair/Replace Heating Systems, Water Heaters & Plumbing Systems

In order to be eligible, your income must be below the following limits for Fond du Lac County:

Family Size

Income Limit

1 - $42,200

2 - $48,200

3 - $54,250

4 - $60,250

5 - $65,100

6 - $69,900

7 - $74,750

8 - $79,550

For more information or to obtain an application for the CDBG Housing Program, please contact Kari Justmann at the Housing Program Office at 1-800-552-6330. Applications are also available at City Hall.

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