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HISTORY - The Housing Authority of Racine County (HARC) was created by a resolution of the Racine County Board in December of 1971 which charged it with the goal(s) of facilitating safe, decent, sanitary affordable housing. The County Board appointed (5) Commissioners to direct HARC's operation in April of 1972, but due to a federal freeze and funding moratorium the Agency was not staffed until 1973 with part-time personnel and began operating housing programs in 1975. Racine County financially subsidized HARC's operations during these early years.
HARC is able to operate the Federal Government, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Section 8 Rental Assistace Program throughout Racine County. State of Wisconsin law stipulates that no housing project can be undertaken by a County Housing Authority within a City, town, or village without the consent of such city, town or village. During these earlier years, enabling Legislation was executed so that HARC could operate: the State of Wisconsin DLAD/CDBG home repair program for low income homeowners in Racine County, rehab and rental of boarded up single family homes in the city of Racine, (these homes were later sold at a reduced price to the Racine Mutual Housing Association and gave them their start in 1988.) In 1978, HARC with the assistance and cooperation of the Village of Waterford and its Housing Authority built a (24) unit elderly housing complex located in Waterford called Levi Barnes Manor which HARC continues to own and operate. During the years of 1981-84 the agency developed (22) units of scattered site HUD Public Housing units, where owned by HARC in Mt. Pleasant and the City of Racine, since then they have been sold to low in-come residents or Habitat For Humanities . By far, the largest program HARC operates is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program which has expanded from the initial (70) families assisted monthly in 1975 to approximately 1500 families today. In the 90s, new programs were initiated for homeownership, such as Community Homebuyers and Project Pride.
Over the years, HARC has been recognized by HUD as a High Performing PHA and has received awards from the State of Wisconsin, National Association of Counties Achievement Award and The Public Policy Forum Award of Excellence for innovative housing programs. These successes have been possible in part due to the support of County and City governments, as well as Community organizations that shared our goals. The Board of Commissioners continues as a strong advocate, leader and advisor to ensure the forward momentum of HARC and its housing programs.
The Housing Authority staff, some of whom have been with the organization for 20 years, have dedicate themselves to helping others with their housing needs. Several members also spend their off-hours as board members of community organizations which aid low-income elderly, persons with disabilities, and families of the community. The Board of Commissioners recognizes that the many successes of the agency have occured because of the work of the dedicated staff and give them great credit for advancing the agency's myriad goals. We hope that you find the website informational.
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