City of Racine

Summary: The Partnership’s work with the City of Racine includes the original proposal behind the Racine Housing and Neighborhood Partnership, as well as contracts dealing with issues such as predatory lending and City loan program administration. Click here to view or download the report in PDF.

Staff contact: Kristin Silva

Wisconsin Partnership's role: Consultant

Status of work: Completed in 2004

The Partnership has worked with the City of Racine for many years. A 1995 consulting contract led to the 1998 launch of the Racine Housing and Neighborhood Partnership (RHNP). After that we supported the RHNP in a number of ways, and we have worked with the City on other projects.

In 2003, faced with increasing incidents of predatory lending, the City asked us to prepare a report outlining possible approaches. The resulting guidebook included a definition of predatory lending, a description of the effects of predatory lending on the city, and a listing of steps being taken in other communities, including sample ordinances from other municipalities.

The Partnership’s report also made recommendations for action, such as adopting policies to prevent the use of predatory mortgage loans in conjunction with City loan products. In 2003 the City implemented a number of our recommendations. Click here to view the predatory lending report in PDF.

In 2004 the City asked us to conduct a performance audit of Racine’s rehabilitation and down payment assistance loan programs. We analyzed program operations, administration and financial issues, compared Racine’s outcomes to those of other cities, then prepared a report with strategic recommendations for administration of both the loan programs and the City housing department. Click here to view or download the report in PDF.