“The Hendricks Family Foundation is pleased to award a five-year grant of nearly $1.2 million to the Acts Housing Corporation,” announced Diane Hendricks, President and Chairman of the Board. “The Acts model is a true ‘hands up’ model, offering coaching, skill-building and financing to help Beloit families become proud homeowners.”

Acts Housing is a not-for-profit organization that has helped more than 2,500 families in Milwaukee purchase homes since 1995. The organization will help striving families in Beloit achieve their dream of home-ownership. Work will be targeted in the Hackett and Merrill neighborhoods.

The Acts agency partners with members of the community in an entrepreneurial style giving participants support as they engage in the process of learning about home ownership and opportunities that exist for them. Homebuyers are empowered to become strong managers of their financial well-being and given the skills and support to rehabilitate and care for their new homes.

“This approach aligns well with the values of the Foundation,” says Lisa Furseth, Executive Director. “We believe citizens should be given room to solve problems effectively on their own and believe that families, churches, schools, neighborhoods and other voluntary organizations are most able and likely to change individual behaviors and transform individual lives.”

“We were just thrilled by the support of the Hendricks Family Foundation,” said Rebecca Stoner, Acts Director of Strategic Partnerships. “We have been working with the Hendricks team since 2016 to explore the possibility of a Beloit expansion. After more than two-years of due diligence, we are delighted to be on the verge of making this project a reality.”

At the conclusion of the initiative, Acts will have supported at least 150 families, increased ownership in two key Beloit neighborhoods, and built a sustainable, viable affordable homeownership market for families with limited incomes.

“Acts has been able to secure the support of a strong group of donors and investors to bring their work to Beloit and we anticipate the homeowners themselves, will invest millions of dollars in the Beloit community,” said Hendricks. “I am excited to see the impact of the project on Beloit families and neighborhoods.”

According to Acts Housing, the results speak for themselves: “The benefits of home ownership reverberate throughout the community – home rehabilitation relieves taxpayers of significant financial burdens and housing markets and local economies are revitalized.”