Chapter 66

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.

66.1213(4)(L) (L)

66.1213(4)(L)1. 1. “Housing projects” includes all real property and personal property, building and improvements, and community facilities acquired or constructed pursuant to a single plan or undertaking to do any of the following:

66.1213(4)(L)1.a. a. Demolish, clear, remove, alter or repair insanitary or unsafe housing for elderly persons.

66.1213(4)(L)1.b. b. Provide safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations for elderly persons.

66.1213(4)(L)1.c. c. Fulfill a combination of the purposes under subd. 1. a. and b.

66.1213(4)(L)2. 2. “Housing project” includes the planning of buildings and improvements, the acquisition of property, the demolition of existing structures and the construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair of the improvements for the purpose of providing safe and sanitary housing for elderly persons and all other work in connection with housing for elderly persons. A project shall not be considered housing for the elderly unless it contains at least 8 new or rehabilitated living units which are specifically designed for the use and occupancy of persons 62 years of age or over.

66.1213(4)(m) (m) “Mortgage” includes deeds of trust, mortgages, building and loan contracts, land contracts or other instruments conveying real or personal property as security for bonds and conferring a right to foreclose and cause a sale of the real property or personal property.

66.1213(4)(n) (n) “Obligee of the authority” or “obligee” includes any bondholder, trustee or trustees for any bondholders, any lessor demising property to the authority used in connection with a housing project or any assignee of the lessor’s interest or any part of the lessor’s interest, and the United States of America, when it is a party to any contract with the authority.

66.1213(4)(o) (o) “Real property” includes lands, lands under water, structures, and any easements, franchises and incorporeal hereditaments and every estate and right in an estate, legal and equitable, including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage or otherwise.

66.1213(4)(p) (p) “Slum” means any area where dwellings predominate which, by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health and morals.

66.1213(4)(q) (q) “State public body” means any city, town, village, county, municipal corporation, commission, district, authority, other subdivision or public body of the state.

66.1213(4)(r) (r) “Trust indenture” includes instruments pledging the revenues of real or personal properties.

66.1213(5) (5) Creation of housing authorities.

66.1213(5)(a) (a) When the council declares by resolution that there is need for an authority to function in the city, a public body corporate and politic shall then exist in the city and be known as the “housing authority” of the city. The authority may transact business and exercise any powers granted to it under this section.

66.1213(5)(b) (b) The council shall adopt a resolution declaring that there is need for a housing authority in the city if it finds that there is a shortage of dwelling accommodations in the city available to elderly persons.

66.1213(5)(c) (c) In any suit, action or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of or relating to any contract of the authority, the authority shall be conclusively deemed to have become established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers under this section upon proof of the adoption of a resolution by the council declaring the need for the authority. The resolution is sufficient if it declares the need for an authority and finds that the condition described in par. (b) exists in the city. A copy of the resolution duly certified by the city clerk is admissible evidence in any suit, action or proceeding.

66.1213(6) (6) Section 66.1201 applies. The provisions of s. 66.1201 (5) to (24) (ag), (25) and (26) apply to housing authorities and providing housing for elderly persons under this section without reference to the income of those persons.

66.1213(7) (7) Sections 66.1203 to 66.1211 apply. The provisions of ss. 66.1203 to 66.1211 apply to housing authorities and providing housing for elderly persons under this section without reference to the income of those persons, except as follows:

66.1213(7)(a) (a) As set down by the federal housing authority in the case of housing projects to the financing or subsidizing of which it is a party.

66.1213(7)(b) (b) As set down by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority in accordance with ch. 234 in the case of housing projects to the financing of which it is a party.

66.1213(8) (8) Not applicable to low-rental housing projects. This section does not apply to projects required to provide low-rental housing only.

66.1213 History History: 1975 c. 94, 221; 1977 c. 418 s. 929 (55); 1981 c. 112; 1983 a. 81 s. 11; 1983 a. 83 s. 20; 1983 a. 189; 1983 a. 444 s. 3; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 213, 246; 1999 a. 150 ss. 380, 382; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1213; 2001 a. 30 s. 44; 2001 a. 104; 2009 a. 95.

subch. XIII of ch. 66 SUBCHAPTER XIII

URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL

66.1301 66.1301 Urban redevelopment.

66.1301(1) (1) Short title. Sections 66.1301 to 66.1329 may be referred to as the “Urban Redevelopment Law”.

66.1301(2) (2) Finding and declaration of necessity. It is declared that in the cities of the state substandard and insanitary areas exist which have resulted from inadequate planning, excessive land coverage, lack of proper light, air and open space, defective design and arrangement of buildings, lack of proper sanitary facilities, and the existence of buildings, which, by reason of age, obsolescence, inadequate or outmoded design, or physical deterioration have become economic or social liabilities, or both. These conditions are prevalent in areas where substandard, insanitary, outworn or outmoded industrial, commercial or residential buildings prevail. These conditions impair the economic value of large areas, infecting them with economic blight, and these areas are characterized by depreciated values, impaired investments, and reduced capacity to pay taxes. These conditions are chiefly in areas which are so subdivided into small parcels in divided ownerships and frequently with defective titles, that their assembly for purposes of clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction is difficult and costly. The existence of these conditions and the failure to clear, replan, rehabilitate or reconstruct these areas results in a loss of population by the areas and further deterioration, accompanied by added costs to the communities for creation of new public facilities and services elsewhere. It is difficult and uneconomic for individual owners independently to undertake to remedy these conditions. It is desirable to encourage owners of property or holders of claims on property in these areas to join together and with outsiders in corporate groups for the purpose of the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas by joint action. It is necessary to create, with proper safeguards, inducements and opportunities for the employment of private investment and equity capital in the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas. These conditions require the employment of capital on an investment rather than a speculative basis, allowing however the widest latitude in the amortization of any indebtedness created. These conditions further require the acquisition at fair prices of adequate areas, the gradual clearance of the areas through demolition of existing obsolete, inadequate, unsafe and insanitary buildings and the redevelopment of the areas under proper supervision with appropriate planning, land use and construction policies. The clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas on a large scale basis are necessary for the public welfare. The clearance, replanning, reconstruction and rehabilitation of these areas are public uses and purposes for which private property may be acquired. Substandard and insanitary areas constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens of the state. These conditions require the aid of redevelopment corporations for the purpose of attaining the ends recited in this subsection. The protection and promotion of the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens of the state are matters of public concern. Sections 66.1301 to 66.1329 are in the public interest.

66.1301(2m) (2m) Discrimination. Persons entitled to any right, benefit, facility, or privilege under ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329 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.

66.1301(3) (3) Definitions. In ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, unless a different intent clearly appears from the context:

66.1301(3)(a) (a) “Area” means a portion of a city which its planning commission finds to be substandard or insanitary, so that the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation or reconstruction of that portion is necessary or advisable to effectuate the public purposes declared in sub. (2). “Area” includes buildings or improvements not in themselves substandard or insanitary, and real property, whether improved or unimproved, the inclusion of which is considered necessary for the effective clearance, replanning, reconstruction or rehabilitation of the area of which the buildings, improvements or real property form a part and includes vacant land which is in such proximity to other land or structures that the economic value of the other land or structures is impaired.

66.1301(3)(d) (d) “Development” means a specific work, repair or improvement to put into effect a development plan and includes the real property, buildings and improvements owned, constructed, managed or operated by a redevelopment corporation.

66.1301(3)(e) (e) “Development area” means that portion of an area to which a development plan is applicable.

66.1301(3)(f) (f) “Development cost” means the amount determined by the planning commission to be the actual cost of the development or of the part of the development for which the determination is made. “Development cost” includes, among other costs, all of the following:

66.1301(3)(f)1. 1. The reasonable costs of planning the development, including preliminary studies and surveys, neighborhood planning, architectural and engineering services and legal and incorporation expense.

66.1301(3)(f)2. 2. The actual cost, if any, of alleviating hardship to families occupying dwelling accommodations in the development area where hardship results from the execution of the development plan.