A Milwaukee nonprofit organization focused on expanding access to homeownership is growing its footprint in southern Wisconsin after securing nearly $2 million in new funding.
Acts Housing announced Thursday that it will expand services across Rock County and launch a new initiative in Beloit aimed at increasing affordable homeownership opportunities. The funding comes from several sources, including the Hendricks Family Foundation, Beloit 200 and the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.
The organization, which has operated in Beloit since 2019, has primarily offered homebuyer and financial counseling, along with real estate, lending, and home rehabilitation coaching. With the new funding, Acts Housing plans to broaden those services countywide.
Kelly Andrew
“Around the state and here in Rock County, families are facing a housing crisis as a lack of availability and affordability have made the dream of homeownership harder to achieve. Supply hasn’t kept up with demand and the total cost of homeownership, especially for families with low to moderate incomes, continues to rise,” said Acts Housing vice president Kelly Andrew, who was also recently named executive director – Rock County and has relocated to the area.
The countywide expansion is supported in part by a $100,000 grant from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, a $50,000 donation from a local individual, and ongoing fundraising.
In Beloit, a $750,000 grant from the Hendricks Family Foundation will support services over the next three years. The foundation previously contributed nearly $1.2 million to help establish the nonprofit’s Beloit office.
As part of the broader effort, Acts Housing is also growing its Acts Homes division, which focuses on purchasing, rehabilitating, and selling affordable homes to qualified buyers. The initiative, launched locally in 2025, has already acquired 11 homes, with four sold to families.
Backed by a $1 million initial investment from Beloit 200, the program aims to renovate and sell at least 10 homes annually, targeting vacant or rental properties. Sale proceeds are reinvested into future projects through a revolving fund.
Over the past six years, Acts Housing reports that 156 Rock County families have purchased homes through its programs, while more than 200 others are currently working toward homeownership. Altogether, the organization says its efforts have generated more than $20 million in local investment.
Founded in 1995, Acts Housing has helped more than 4,500 families purchase homes. The nonprofit recently completed at $26 million capital campaign; the Rock County expansion has been funded by dollars in addition to that.
