Free Money for Home Repairs? Yes, Please! What You Need to Know About the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

Jenna Wydeven • 8 July 2025

What is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and How Can it Help You?

Asbestos siding and rotten sheathing replaced by Badgerland Restoration $ RRemodeling. CDBG Program. Wisconsin Rapids.

Single-family home in Wisconsin Rapids fully restored with help from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, by Badgerland Restoration & Remodeling using Norandex Cedar Falls D5 in Graphite siding

Before After

Imagine this: your roof is leaking, your windows are drafty, or your siding has seen better days—but your budget says, “Not today.” What if we told you there’s a program that might help cover those repairs, and you don’t have to pay it back?

It’s real. It’s local. And it’s called the Community Development Block Grant Program—or CDBG for short.

At Badgerland Restoration & Remodeling, we’ve helped many homeowners right here in Central Wisconsin take advantage of these funds to make essential home repairs without breaking the bank. Whether you’re in Waupaca County, Portage County, Waushara County, or beyond, this could be the best-kept secret to upgrading your home affordably—and safely.

So, What Exactly Is the Community Development Block Grant Program?

The CDBG Program is a federally funded initiative that provides financial assistance to low- to moderate-income homeowners for critical home repairs and improvements. The program is administered locally—often by your city, village, or county—and funds are awarded to eligible homeowners through a grant or deferred-payment loan (translation: most people never have to pay it back unless they sell the home within a certain timeframe).

So, What Exactly Is the Community Development Block Grant Program?

So, What Exactly Is the Community Development Block Grant Program?

Eligible projects can include:

Roof replacements
Energy-efficient window upgrades
Siding repair or replacement
Electrical or plumbing updates
Accessibility modifications (like ramps or walk-in showers)
Foundation work and more

If your home needs work and your budget says "not now," the CDBG program might just say "yes, right now."

Who’s Eligible to Apply?

Eligibility for the CDBG program typically depends on a few key factors:

✅ You own and occupy the home as your primary residence
✅ Your household income falls within certain limits (based on family size and county guidelines)
✅ The property is located within a participating area
✅ You’re willing to work with licensed and insured contractors (like us!)

Many of our clients are surprised to learn they qualify—even retirees, veterans, or working families who just need a little help to maintain their home.

Eligible projects can include:

Roof replacements
Energy-efficient window upgrades
Siding repair or replacement
Electrical or plumbing updates
Accessibility modifications (like ramps or walk-in showers)
Foundation work and more

If your home needs work and your budget says "not now," the CDBG program might just say "yes, right now."

Who’s Eligible to Apply?

Eligibility for the CDBG program typically depends on a few key factors:

Many of our clients are surprised to learn they qualify—even retirees, veterans, or working families who just need a little help to maintain their home.

Where Is This Program Available in Wisconsin?

At Badgerland, we serve a 60-mile radius around Weyauwega, WI—and we’ve worked with homeowners in the following counties who were approved for CDBG funds:

Waupaca County
Portage County
Waushara County
Outagamie County
Winnebago County
Shawano County
Marathon County
Wood County

Where Is This Program Available in Wisconsin?

At Badgerland, we serve a 60-mile radius around Weyauwega, WI and we’ve worked with homeowners in the following counties who were approved for CDBG funds:

Where Is This Program Available in Wisconsin?

At Badgerland, we serve a 60-mile radius around Weyauwega, WI and we’ve worked with homeowners in the following counties who were approved for CDBG funds:

Waupaca County
Portage County
Waushara County
Outagamie County
Winnebago County
Shawano County
Marathon County
Wood County

Each county runs its own version of the program, so the specific details (income limits, application process, etc.) may vary. But here’s the good news—we’re familiar with how it works in each of these areas, and we’re happy to help point you in the right direction.

Waupaca County
Portage County
Waushara County
Outagamie County
Winnebago County
Shawano County
Marathon County
Wood County

How to Apply Without Losing Your Mind

We won’t sugarcoat it: there’s a little paperwork. But it’s nothing you can’t handle—especially with a team like ours guiding you through the process. We’ll walk you through every step, help you prepare an accurate contractor estimate, and communicate directly with your program coordinator when needed. We’ve helped plenty of homeowners navigate this process before, and we’re happy to do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to lose sleep—or sanity—over the paperwork.

How to Apply Without Losing Your Mind

Here’s a general idea of how to get started:

Contact your county’s housing or community development office.
Many have online applications or downloadable PDFs.
Gather documentation.
This might include proof of income, tax returns, mortgage statements, and a photo ID.
Schedule an inspection.
An inspector or program coordinator will evaluate your home to determine what repairs are eligible.
Get bids from licensed contractors.
That’s where Badgerland comes in—we’ll provide a detailed estimate and work directly with the program coordinator to ensure everything meets guidelines.
Wait for approval.
Once approved, work can begin—and you could be on your way to a safer, more comfortable home.

Real Talk: Why These Grants Matter

Let’s face it—owning a home isn’t cheap. And when major repairs sneak up on you, they can cause real stress. That’s why programs like CDBG are so important: they help homeowners stay in their homes safely, avoid costly future damage, and maintain the value of their property.

Over the years, our team at Badgerland Restoration & Remodeling has worked on many CDBG-funded home repairs, from new roofs and energy-efficient windows to complete exterior makeovers. We know the process inside and out, and we love seeing the relief on our customers’ faces when they realize help is available—and affordable.

Need Help Getting Started? Call Badgerland.

We’re more than just a remodeling company—we’re your partner in navigating the big (and sometimes confusing) world of home repairs and funding programs. If you're wondering whether your home repairs could qualify for the Community Block Grant Program, give us a call. We'll help you understand your options, prepare an estimate, and work alongside your local program coordinator to make it happen.

Need Help Getting Started? Call Badgerland.

Need Help Getting Started? Call Badgerland.

📍 Serving Weyauwega, Wisconsin and surrounding counties—Waupaca, Portage, Waushara, and more

Ready to upgrade your home—without draining your wallet? Let’s explore your options together!

Fllow Us!

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