BLAR Fund (Builders Legal Action and Research Fund)

BLAR Fund (Builders Legal Action and Research Fund)

Funder: Wisconsin Builders Association (established 1993)

Geographic Scope: Wisconsin statewide

Focus Areas:

Legal action in courts

Research on housing and construction issues

Advocacy efforts

Policy advancement benefiting housing industry

Purpose:
The BLAR Fund is a resource for advancing policies that benefit housing in Wisconsin through legal action, research, and advocacy efforts. It provides financial support for court cases, research projects, and advocacy initiatives with statewide impact.

Fund Administration:

Established by WBA Board of Directors in 1993

Financed annually by all WBA members

Segregated from other association programs

Administered by WBA Executive Committee

Areas of Focus:

Legal Action

• Court advocacy against illegal local ordinances
• Establishing important legal precedents applicable statewide
• Primarily funds cases at Court of Appeals or Supreme Court level
• Filing amicus briefs in important construction and development cases

Research

• Studies on alternatives to Wisconsin property tax
• Reforms to Wisconsin wetland laws
• Administrative rules and guidance improvements
• Streamlining of one and two-family building codes
• Economic impact studies demonstrating housing's positive financial impact

Advocacy Efforts

• Legal assistance and lobbying support for WBA advocacy agenda
• Legislative session support

Eligibility Criteria for Funding:
Requests evaluated on:

Availability of matching funds from member applicant and local HBA

Whether request addresses specific WBA policy priority

Legal issues that will adversely impact cost of housing in Wisconsin

Likelihood of establishing important legal precedent affecting housing costs

Whether WBA participation helps/harms outcome

Good likelihood of success

Who Benefits:

All WBA members

Homeowners (through policies keeping housing affordable)

Members without financial resources for protracted legal efforts

Funding Cap:

Current cap: $5,000 per local HBA per calendar year

WBA Executive Committee may waive cap if request deemed vital to housing and land use policy

Grant Distribution:
Grants issued directly to law firms or consultants handling cases or research projects.

Contact:
Wisconsin Builders Association
660 John Nolen Dr, Suite 320
Madison, WI 53718
Phone: (608) 242-5151