Chapter 66

66.1201(18)(b) (b) By suit, action or proceeding require the authority and its commissioners to account as if it and they were the trustees of an express trust.

66.1201(19) (19) Remedies cumulative. All the rights and remedies in this section are in addition to all other rights and remedies that may be conferred upon an obligee of the authority by law or by any contract with the authority.

66.1201(20) (20) Subordination of mortgage to agreement with government. The authority may agree in any mortgage made by it that the mortgage is subordinate to a contract for the supervision by a government of the operation and maintenance of the mortgaged property and the construction of improvements on the mortgaged property. A purchaser at a sale of the property of an authority pursuant to a foreclosure of a mortgage or any other remedy in connection with the foreclosure shall obtain title subject to the contract.

66.1201(21) (21) Contracts with federal government. In addition to the powers conferred upon the authority by other provisions of ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211, the authority may borrow money or accept grants from the federal government for any housing project that the authority may undertake, take over any land acquired by the federal government for the construction or operation of a housing project, take over or lease or manage any housing project constructed or owned by the federal government, and to these ends, enter into any contracts, mortgages, trust indentures, leases or other agreements that the federal government may require including agreements that the federal government may supervise and approve the construction, maintenance and operation of the housing project. A council may take any action necessary to secure the financial aid and the cooperation of the federal government in the undertaking, construction, maintenance and operation of any housing project which the authority may undertake.

66.1201(22) (22) Tax exemption and payments in lieu of taxes. Tax exemption and payments in lieu of taxes. The property of an authority is public property used for essential public and governmental purposes and the property and an authority are exempt from all taxes of the state or any state public body, except that the city in which a project or projects are located may fix a sum to be paid annually in lieu of taxes by the authority for the services, improvements, or facilities furnished to the property of the authority by the city. The amount paid in lieu of taxes may not exceed the amount that would be levied as the annual tax of the city upon the project. Property of an authority includes property in which an authority operating within a 1st class city or an entity in which an authority operating within a 1st class city holds an ownership interest holds a partial ownership interest if the property is held for any of the following purposes:

66.1201(22)(a) (a) As part of a financing or equity plan that includes state or federal tax credits, financing, funding, or rent subsidy.

66.1201(22)(b) (b) A purpose related to the conversion of a housing project to a rental or housing assistance program under a contract with the federal government.

66.1201(23) (23) Reports. The authority shall at least once a year file with the mayor of the city a report of its activities for the preceding year.

66.1201(24) (24) Bids.

66.1201(24)(a) (a) When a housing authority has the approval of the council for any project authorized under sub. (9) (a) or (b), the authority shall complete and approve plans, specifications, and conditions for carrying out the project, and shall advertise by publishing a class 2 notice, under ch. 985, for bids for all work which the authority must do by contract. The authority is not required to submit for bidding any contract in an amount of $25,000 or less or, if the contract is for a project on a property wholly or partially owned before October 1, 2021, by a housing authority created by a 1st class city, $50,000 or less, but if the estimated cost of the contract, except a contract for a project on a property wholly or partially owned before October 1, 2021, by an authority created by a 1st class city, is between $10,000 and $25,000, the authority shall give a class 2 notice, under ch. 985, of the proposed work before the contract is entered into. A contract subject to bidding shall be awarded to the lowest qualified and competent bidder. Section 66.0901 applies to the bidding.

66.1201(24)(ag) (ag) As an alternative to the advertising and bidding procedure under par. (a), an authority may contract under any purchase procedure authorized for the authority by the federal government.

66.1201(24)(am) (am) The authority may reject any bid required under par. (a).

66.1201(24)(b) (b) An authority may contract for the acquisition of a housing project without submitting the contract for bids as required by par. (a) if all of the following apply:

66.1201(24)(b)1. 1. The contract provides for undertaking of the housing project on land not owned at the time of the contract by the authority except the contract may provide for undertaking of the housing project on land acquired and owned by a community development authority for the purpose of ss. 66.1105, 66.1301 to 66.1329, 66.1331 or 66.1333 if the community development authority is proceeding under this paragraph as provided by s. 66.1335 (4).

66.1201(24)(b)2. 2. The contract provides for conveyance or lease of the project to the authority after completion of the project.

66.1201(24)(b)3. 3. The authority invites developers to submit proposals to provide a completed project and evaluates proposals according to site, cost, design, the developer’s experience and other criteria specified by the authority.

66.1201(25) (25) Liquidation and disposal of housing projects.

66.1201(25)(a) (a) In any city or village the council or village board by resolution or ordinance, or the electors by referendum under s. 9.20, may require the authority to liquidate and dispose of a project held and operated under ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211 or 66.1331.

66.1201(25)(b) (b) If liquidation and disposal of a project is provided for under par. (a) the housing authority or other designated agency shall sell the project to the highest bidder after public advertisement, or transfer it to any state public body authorized by law to acquire the project. No project may be sold for less than its fair market value as determined by a board of 3 licensed appraisers appointed by the council or village board.

66.1201(25)(c) (c) The arrangements for the liquidation and disposal of a project shall provide for the payment and retirement of all outstanding obligations in connection with the project, together with interest on the obligations and any premiums prescribed for the redemption of any bonds, notes or other obligations before maturity.

66.1201(25)(d) (d) Any proceeds remaining after payment of the obligations under par. (c) shall be distributed in accordance with the federal law applicable at the time of the liquidation and disposal of the project. If no federal law is applicable to the liquidation and disposal of the project all remaining proceeds shall be paid to the city or village.

66.1201(25)(e) (e) If the highest bid received is insufficient for the payment of all obligations set forth in par. (c) the project shall not be sold unless the city or village provides sufficient additional funds to discharge the obligations.

66.1201(25)(f) (f) In order to carry out this subsection an authority or other designated agency shall exercise any option available to it for the payment and redemption of outstanding obligations set forth in par. (c) before maturity, if the city or village provides funds for payment and redemption.

66.1201(25)(g) (g) No actions taken under this subsection shall affect or diminish the rights of any bondholders or other obligees of the authority.

66.1201(25)(h) (h) In this subsection, “outstanding obligations” or “obligations” includes bonds, notes or evidences of indebtedness, as well as aids, grants, contributions or loans made by or received from any federal, state or local political government or agency.

66.1201(26) (26) Dissolution of housing authority. Any housing authority may be dissolved upon adoption of an ordinance or resolution by the council or village board concerned declaring that the need for the authority no longer exists, that all projects under the authority’s jurisdiction have been disposed of, that there are no outstanding obligations or contracts and that no further business remains to be transacted by the authority.

66.1201 History History: 1973 c. 172; 1975 c. 94, 221, 350; 1977 c. 418; 1979 c. 89; 1979 c. 110 s. 60 (13); 1979 c. 221; 1981 c. 112, 190, 232; 1983 a. 24; 1983 a. 81 s. 11; 1983 a. 83 s. 20; 1983 a. 189, 444; 1987 a. 27, 163; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 172, 184, 268, 379; 1995 a. 27, 225; 1997 a. 35; 1999 a. 150 ss. 285, 383, 384, 386, 388; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1201; 2001 a. 103, 104; 2005 a. 22; 2009 a. 95; 2015 a. 196; 2017 a. 316; 2021 a. 196; s. 35.17 correction in (9) (am), (24) (a).

66.1201 Annotation The office of county planning and zoning commission member is incompatible with the position of executive director of the county housing authority. 81 Atty. Gen. 90.

66.1203 66.1203 Housing authorities; operation not for profit.

66.1203(1) (1) It is declared to be the policy of this state that each housing authority shall manage and operate its housing projects in an efficient manner to enable it to fix the rentals for dwelling accommodations at the lowest possible rates consistent with its providing decent, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations, and that no housing authority shall construct or operate any project for profit, or as a source of revenue to the city.

66.1203(2) (2) An authority shall fix the rentals for dwellings in its projects at no higher rates than it finds necessary in order to produce revenues which, together with all other available moneys, revenues, income and receipts of the authority from whatever sources derived, will be sufficient to accomplish all of the following:

66.1203(2)(a) (a) Pay, as the rentals become due, the principal and interest on the bonds of the authority.

66.1203(2)(b) (b) Meet the cost of, and provide for, maintaining and operating the projects, including the cost of any insurance, the administrative expenses of the authority, and, for projects located on properties wholly or partially owned before October 1, 2021, by a housing authority created by a 1st class city, tenant support services.

66.1203(2)(c) (c) Create, during not less than the 6 years immediately succeeding its issuance of any bonds, a reserve sufficient to meet the largest principal and interest payments which will be due on the bonds in any one year after the creation of the reserve and maintain the reserve.

66.1203 History History: 1999 a. 150 s. 389; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1203; 2021 a. 196.

66.1205 66.1205 Housing authorities; rentals and tenant selection.

66.1205(1) (1) In the operation or management of housing projects and mixed developments, an authority shall at all times observe the following duties with respect to rentals and tenant selection:

66.1205(1)(a) (a) It may rent or lease the dwelling accommodations in a housing project only to persons of low income and at rentals within the financial reach of persons of low income, except that, for mixed-income dwelling accommodations that are part of a mixed development, an authority may rent a portion of the dwelling accommodations at rentals that are not within the financial reach of persons of low income.

66.1205(1)(b) (b) It may rent or lease to a tenant dwelling accommodations consisting of the number of rooms, but no greater number, that it considers necessary to provide safe and sanitary accommodations to the proposed occupants, without overcrowding.

66.1205(1)(c) (c) It shall not accept any person as a tenant in any housing project if the person or persons who would occupy the dwelling accommodations have an aggregate annual income in excess of 5 times the annual rental of the quarters to be furnished the person or persons, except that in the case of families with minor dependents the aggregate annual income of the person or persons who would occupy the dwelling accommodations may exceed 5 times the annual rental of the quarters to be furnished by $100 for each minor dependent or by an amount equal to the annual income of the minor dependents. In computing the rental for the purpose of selecting tenants, the authority shall determine and include in the rental the average annual cost to the occupants, of heat, water, electricity, gas, cooking range and other necessary services or facilities, whether or not the charge for such services and facilities is in fact included in the rental. This paragraph does not apply to a property wholly or partially owned before October 1, 2021, by a housing authority created by a 1st class city.

66.1205(2) (2) Sections 66.1201 to 66.1211 do not limit the power of an authority to do any of the following:

66.1205(2)(a) (a) Invest in an obligee the right, if the authority defaults, to take possession of a housing project or cause the appointment of a receiver of the housing project, free from all the restrictions imposed under ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211, with respect to rentals, tenant selection, manner of operation, or otherwise.

66.1205(2)(b) (b) Pursuant to s. 66.1201 (16) vest in obligees the right, if the authority defaults, to acquire title to a housing project or the property mortgaged by the housing authority, free from all of the restrictions imposed by s. 66.1203 and this section.

66.1205(3) (3) Subsection (1) (a) and (c) does not apply in the case of housing projects to the financing of which the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority is a party, as to which ch. 234 shall be controlling.

66.1205 History History: 1971 c. 213 s. 5; 1975 c. 221; 1983 a. 81 s. 11; 1983 a. 83 s. 20; 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 s. 390; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1205; 2001 a. 103, 104; 2021 a. 196.

66.1207 66.1207 Penalties; evidence.

66.1207(1) (1) 

66.1207(1)(a) (a) Any person who secures or assists in securing dwelling accommodations under s. 66.1205 by intentionally making false representations in order to receive more than $1,000 but less than $2,500 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both.

66.1207(1)(b) (b) Any person who secures or assists in securing dwelling accommodations under s. 66.1205 by intentionally making false representations in order to receive at least $2,500 but not more than $25,000 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled is guilty of a Class I felony.

66.1207(1)(c) (c) Any person who secures or assists in securing dwelling accommodations under s. 66.1205 by intentionally making false representations in order to receive more than $25,000 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled is guilty of a Class H felony.

66.1207(2) (2) Any administrator or employee of an authority under s. 66.1205 who receives or solicits any commission or derives or seeks to obtain any personal financial gain through any contract for the rental or lease of dwelling accommodations under s. 66.1205 shall be punished under s. 946.13.

66.1207(3) (3) Any person who receives assistance for dwelling accommodations under s. 66.1205, who has been notified by the authority of the obligation to report an increase in income or assets that would reduce the amount of that assistance and who intentionally fails to notify the authority of the receipt of income or assets is subject to one of the following:

66.1207(3)(a) (a) The penalty under sub. (1) (a) if the failure to report results in the receipt of more than $1,000 and less than $2,500 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled.

66.1207(3)(b) (b) The penalty under sub. (1) (b) if the failure to report results in the receipt of at least $2,500 but not more than $25,000 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled.

66.1207(3)(c) (c) The penalty under sub. (1) (c) if the failure to report results in the receipt of more than $25,000 in financial assistance for which the person would not otherwise be entitled.

66.1207 History History: 1987 a. 173, 403; 1995 a. 225; 1997 a. 283; 1999 a. 150 ss. 391 to 393; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1207; 2001 a. 109.

66.1209 66.1209 Housing authorities; cooperation in housing projects.

66.1209(1) (1) For the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, construction or operation of housing projects located within the area in which it may act, any state public body may do any of the following:

66.1209(1)(a) (a) Dedicate, sell, convey or lease any of its property to a housing authority or the federal government.

66.1209(1)(b) (b) Cause parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, educational, water, sewer or drainage facilities, or any other works which it may undertake, to be furnished adjacent to or in connection with housing projects.

66.1209(1)(c) (c) Cause services to be furnished to the authority of the character which it otherwise may furnish.

66.1209(1)(d) (d) Subject to the approval of the council, furnish, dedicate, close, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan or replan streets, roads, roadways, alleys, sidewalks or other places which it may undertake.

66.1209(1)(e) (e) Enter into agreements with a housing authority or the federal government respecting action to be taken by the state public body pursuant to any of the powers granted by ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211. The agreements may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary.

66.1209(1)(f) (f) Any and all things, necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction or operation of housing projects.

66.1209(1)(g) (g) Purchase or legally invest in any of the bonds of a housing authority and exercise all of the rights of any holder of the bonds.

66.1209(2) (2) With respect to any housing project which a housing authority has acquired or taken over from the federal government and which the housing authority by resolution has found and declared to have been constructed in a manner that will promote the public interest and afford necessary safety, sanitation and other protection, no state public body may require any changes to be made in the housing project or the manner of its construction or take any other action relating to the construction.

66.1209(3) (3) In connection with any public improvements made by a state public body in exercising the powers granted in ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211, the state public body may incur the entire expense of the public improvements. Any law or statute to the contrary notwithstanding, any sale, conveyance, lease or agreement provided for in ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211 may be made by a state public body without appraisal, public notice, advertisement or public bidding.

66.1209 History History: 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 ss. 394 to 396; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1209.

66.1211 66.1211 Housing authorities; contracts with city; assistance to counties and municipalities.

66.1211(1) (1) Contracts between authority and city. In connection with any housing project located wholly or partly within the area in which it is authorized to act, any city may agree with an authority or government that a certain sum, subject to the limitations imposed by s. 66.1201 (22), or no sum shall be paid by the authority in lieu of taxes for any year or period of years.

66.1211(2) (2) Advances to housing authority. When any housing authority created for any city is authorized to transact business and exercise its powers, the governing body of the city may immediately make an estimate of the amount of money necessary for the administrative expenses and overhead of the housing authority during the first year after the creation of the housing authority, and may appropriate the amount to the authority out of any moneys in the city treasury not appropriated to some other purposes. The moneys appropriated may be paid to the authority as a donation. Any city, town, or village located in whole or in part within the area of operation of a housing authority may lend or donate money to the authority. The housing authority, when it has money available to repay loans made under this subsection, shall make reimbursements for all loans made to it.

66.1211(3) (3) Project submitted to planning commission. Before any housing project of the character designated in s. 66.1201 (9) (a) is determined by the authority, or any real estate acquired or agreed to be acquired for the project or the construction of any of the buildings begins or any application made for federal loan or grant for the project, the extent of the project and the general features of the proposed layout indicating in a general way the proposed location of buildings and open spaces shall be submitted to the planning commission, if any, of the city or political subdivision in which the proposed project is located, for the advice of the planning commission on the proposed location, extent, and general features of the layout.

66.1211(4) (4) Cooperation with cities, villages and counties. For the purpose of cooperating with and assisting cities, villages and counties, a housing authority may exercise its powers in that territory within the boundaries of any city, village or county not included in the area in which that housing authority is then authorized to function, or in any designated portion of that territory, after the governing body of the city, village or county adopts a resolution declaring that there is a need for the authority to function in the additional territory. If a housing authority has previously been authorized to exercise its powers in the additional territory or designated portion, a resolution shall not be adopted unless the housing authority finds that ultimate economy would be promoted, and the housing authority shall not initiate any housing project in the additional territory or designated portion before the adoption of the resolution.

66.1211(6) (6) Controlling statutes. Insofar as ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211 are inconsistent with any other law, the provisions of ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211 control.

66.1211(7) (7) Supplemental nature of statute. The powers conferred by ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211 are in addition to the powers conferred by any other law.

66.1211 History History: 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 s. 397; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1211; 2001 a. 107.

66.1213 66.1213 Housing authorities for elderly persons.

66.1213(1) (1) Short title. This section may be referred to as the “housing authority for elderly persons law”.

66.1213(2) (2) Declaration of necessity. It is declared that the lack of housing facilities for elderly persons provided by private enterprise in certain areas creates a public necessity to establish safe and sanitary facilities for which public moneys may be spent and private property acquired. The legislature declares that to provide public housing for elderly persons is the performance of a governmental function of state concern.

66.1213(3) (3) Discrimination. Persons otherwise entitled to any right, benefit, facility, or privilege under this section may not be denied the right, benefit, facility, or privilege in any manner for any purpose nor be discriminated against because of sex, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (u), or national origin.

66.1213(4) (4) Definitions. As used in this section unless the text clearly indicates otherwise:

66.1213(4)(a) (a) “Authority” or “housing authority” means any of the public corporations established pursuant to sub. (5).

66.1213(4)(b) (b) “Bonds” mean any bonds, interim certificates, notes, debentures or other obligations of the authority issued pursuant to this section.

66.1213(4)(e) (e) “Commissioner” means one of the members of an authority appointed in accordance with this section.

66.1213(4)(f) (f) “Community facilities” include real and personal property, and buildings and equipment for recreational or social assemblies, for educational, health or welfare purposes and necessary utilities, when designed primarily for the benefit and use of the housing authority or the occupants of the dwelling accommodations, or for both.

66.1213(4)(h) (h) “Council” means the common council of a city.

66.1213(4)(i) (i) “Elderly person” means a person who is 62 years of age or older on the date on which the person intends to occupy the premises, or a family, the head of which, or that person’s spouse, is a person who is 62 years of age or older on the date of the intent to occupy the premises.

66.1213(4)(j) (j) “Federal government” includes the United States of America and any agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States of America.

66.1213(4)(k) (k) “Government” includes the state and federal governments and any subdivision, agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of either of them.