Wisconsin Mortgage Assistance and Foreclosure Help — Programs and Where to Get Help
Wisconsin homeowners who are behind on their mortgage — or worried they soon will be — have access to a network of free and low-cost resources. That network includes HUD-certified housing counselors, state programs through WHEDA and the Department of Administration, legal aid organizations, and local community action agencies.
This page will help you find a variety of programs and organizations that may help arrange mortgage assistance. No single program solves every situation, but most homeowners who reach out early find more options than they expected. Programs and eligibility change — verify current status before applying.
Scam Warning: Foreclosure scams specifically target homeowners who are behind and desperate. Legitimate HUD-certified counselors and legal aid organizations never charge upfront fees for foreclosure help. If anyone contacts you unsolicited about your mortgage and asks for money, a deed transfer, or personal financial information, treat it as a scam. Report suspected scams to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions at https://dfi.wi.gov/Pages/Home.aspx.
Start Here: Free Housing Counseling
A HUD-certified housing counselor is the most useful first call for most Wisconsin homeowners in trouble. They work for you, not the lender. They can review your loan and finances, explain every option your servicer is required to offer, help you submit a loss mitigation application, and refer you to legal aid if needed. The service is free.
Wisconsin has a strong counseling network. Find a counselor using these tools:
Key Timeframes
Wisconsin foreclosures go through the courts and typically take 6 to 18 months from filing to sale. If you are served with a court complaint, you have 20 days to respond in writing — doing nothing allows the lender to move forward unopposed. After a judgment is entered, most homeowners have 3 to 12 months before the sale takes place, depending on your mortgage terms, which gives real time to work with a counselor or negotiate with your lender. If you have received any court papers, contact a counselor or legal aid today.
WHEDA. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority coordinates the state's housing counseling network, offers homebuyer loan programs, and provides down payment assistance for eligible buyers. For homeowners already struggling, WHEDA's main role is connecting you to the counseling network. Phone: (800) 334-6873. Website: https://www.wheda.com/.
Critical Assistance Program. Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration, this program can provide a one-time payment toward a past-due mortgage balance for homeowners at risk of losing their housing in areas without other strong local prevention services. It is a small program with limited annual funding, most useful for homeowners who are only slightly behind. Website: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/AgencyResources/critical-assistance.aspx.
Foundation for Rural Housing. Provides home repair assistance and housing counseling to low-income homeowners in rural Wisconsin counties — all counties except Milwaukee, Dane, and Racine. Website: https://ruralhousing.org/.
Social Development Commission (Milwaukee County). Administers multiple housing stability programs in Milwaukee County, and can combine mortgage delinquency, utility, and tax assistance into a single case — useful for homeowners dealing with multiple overdue bills at once. Phone: (414) 906-2900. Website: https://cr-sdc.org/.
Wisconsin Emergency Assistance. A state program providing short-term cash assistance to families with children facing a housing crisis. Does not pay mortgage servicers directly, but can provide emergency funds that help stabilize a household's finances. Administered by the Department of Children and Families. Website: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ea..
Community action agencies. Every Wisconsin county has a community action agency that serves as the local front door for state and federally funded programs. They can connect homeowners to mortgage assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and budget counseling simultaneously. Find your local agency on our Wisconsin community action programs page.
Legal Aid
If your situation has reached the point of a court filing, legal representation matters. Wisconsin has free legal resources for income-eligible homeowners:
- Wisconsin Law Help. Free legal information about foreclosure, tenant rights, and housing. Website: https://www.wislawhelp.org/.
- Legal Action of Wisconsin. Free civil legal services for low-income residents in southeastern, northern and western Wisconsin, including Milwaukee. Phone: (414) 278-7722. Website: https://legalaction.org/.
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