The agency & primary document
- Allocating agency
- Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
- QAP / guidelines
- https://www.wheda.com/developers-and-property-managers/tax-credits/htc
- Governing document
- Wisconsin 2027-28 QAP, Appendix A — Market Study Guidelines (WHEDA, revised 6/2026)
- Methodology
- Agency-specific standalone methodology
Required market study sections
Wisconsin uses its own standalone market study methodology rather than the NCHMA Model Content Standards. Agency-specific methodology — WHEDA publishes its own Guidelines in Appendix A.
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) market study checklist → — every required item, with a link to the agency's guideline.
Key Wisconsin rules
- Staleness window
- Studies are considered “stale” after 6 months and may be updated by the provider (Appendix A, General Information, p. 2)
- Rent-burden standard
- 35% for families; 40% for seniors
- Persons per bedroom
- 1.5 per bedroom (family); 2.0 for age-restricted
Wisconsin-specific overlays
- Concentric circles NOT permitted as PMA definition (§C.1) — must use logical/functional boundaries
- Senior developments: only households above age 65 considered
- Four study types: New Construction/Adaptive Reuse; Acquisition/Rehabilitation; Assisted Living (RCAC/CBRF); Community Service Facilities
- CSF overlay: analyst must demonstrate services appropriate AND fees affordable to individuals at ≤ 60% AMI (method not prescribed)
- Acq/Rehab additions: 3-year occupancy/vacancy table; income qualification analysis of existing residents; displacement/relocation plan; scope of rehab work
Required companion documents
- Identity of Interest certification in report body — broader than typical (covers family relationships and any advance of funds)
Things analysts miss in Wisconsin
- Concentric circles are explicitly prohibited as a PMA definition method — use functional/logical boundaries instead
Build the Market Data section of your Wisconsin study
StudyScribe auto-fills the Market Data section — employment, unemployment, building permits, crime and amenities — from BLS, Census, HUD, FBI and Google sources, cites every figure, and exports a Word document formatted for Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) submissions. Start free — no credit card.
Request access for your Wisconsin study →Frequently asked questions
Who reviews LIHTC market studies in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) sets the market study requirements and reviews submissions for Wisconsin Low-Income Housing Tax Credit applications.
How current must a Wisconsin LIHTC market study be?
Studies are considered “stale” after 6 months and may be updated by the provider (Appendix A, General Information, p. 2)
Does Wisconsin follow NCHMA standards?
Agency-specific methodology — WHEDA publishes its own Guidelines in Appendix A.
Other states
This summary is for general reference and reflects Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)'s published guidance as understood by StudyScribe; it is not legal or compliance advice. Always confirm requirements against the current QAP / market study guidelines before submission.