Wisconsin is one of eight states selected to participate in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's "Coming Home: Affordable Assisted Living" grant program. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) are leading the initiative. Directional and technical assistance for the grant is provided by NCB Development Services.

The purpose of the grant is to:

• Identify and implement service reimbursement, regulatory policy, and housing finance changes that promote affordable assisted living in Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCACs)
• Develop one or more affordable RCAC apartment-style assisted living demonstrations in a rural or small community

Grant activities include:

• Fostering a Supportive Policy Environment
• Identification of barriers to affordable assisted living
• Identification of service reimbursement, housing finance and regulatory policy changes to promote affordable assisted living
• Development of Implementation Tools; some initial issues to address include:
• Cost allocation and rate setting methodologies
• Model contract language
• Cost reduction techniques/development of "affordable" models
• Demonstration Project(s)
• Funded from existing program resources (low-income housing tax credits, WHEDA financing, Federal HOME funds, Family Care, MA Waivers)
• Technical Assistance/Consultation
• RWJF revolving loan fund available for up front costs
• Information Dissemination
• Training Conference for potential developers/operators and partners
• Technical assistance manuals, best practice guidelines, and other publications
• Website