Senate Bill 1179 establishes a home repair program administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) aimed at ensuring residential housing units are safe, habitable, and energy-efficient. The program will provide grants of up to $25,000 to eligible homeowners with incomes below 100% of the area median income, prioritizing those with disabilities and families with young children. Additionally, interest-free loans of up to $25,000 will be available to eligible landlords who own a limited number of properties, specifically for improving affordable housing. The bill defines affordable housing and outlines the conditions under which grants and loans can be awarded, including restrictions on the age of the housing units.

The bill also includes provisions for the repayment of grants and loans if the homeowner or landlord sells the property within four years of receiving assistance. WHEDA is authorized to contract with counties or nonprofit organizations for program administration and is required to report annually to the Joint Committee on Finance and relevant legislative committees. The funding for this program will come from a portion of the real estate transfer fee collected by counties.