Program Overview:            The “Look Up De Pere” program would offer forgivable loans to existing property owners and those interested in purchasing older downtown properties for improvements to the second stories to reactivate and renovate units downtown. Property owners within the Main Street District of the City of De Pere are eligible for matching grant funds for improvements made to improve, renovate, or establish residential units above storefronts. The program would be designed as a matching grant program, the City would reimburse the property owner for up to 50% of the expense, to a maximum match of $5,000 for each unit. Each parcel with an existing building is eligible for up to a total of $30,000 (6 units). Grants will be awarded to eligible applicants while funds are available. Façade grant funds may not be used as matching funds to the “Look Up De Pere” Program; however, receiving a façade grant does not prohibit the application to this program and vice versa.

Funding Source:                       $150,000 housing affordability funds and TID No. 7 and TID No. 9 funds where appropriate

General Program Requirements: Units must be affordable as the following.

  • Rented to an individual or family at 80% of the county median income.
  • Rents are capped at WHEDA Rent Limits published annually.
  • Renters may not spend more than 30% of their income on housing-related expenses.

Income Limits (2022)

FAMILY SIZE: ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE
COUNTY, Brown: 50,560 57,760 64,960 72,160 78,000 83,760 89,520 95,280 101,040

Rent Limits (2022)

BEDROOM SIZE: EFF ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX
COUNTY, Brown: 1264 1354 1624 1877 2094 2310 2526


The applicant must agree to repay the grant if they sell the building to a new entity they do not have an ownership stake during the 5 years following the implementation of the improvements. Moreover, if the applicant wishes to return to the unit to market rates, they shall also return a prorated portion of the grant. The repayment shall be prorated for any years in which the unit was held for affordable housing purposes. The grant repayment schedule shall be 20% principal reduction of the zero-interest loan for each year the unit remains affordable as defined in a loan agreement. The grant/forgivable loan capitalized lost revenue at $100 a month over the life of the grant.

Program Information:

1. Look Up De Pere Renovation Guide

2. Look Up De Pere Renovation Application