WHEDA Awards Housing Credits for ‘High Impact’ Projects

News

Michael Rea started his company from the ground up, and now he and his family are using their fortune to change lives.

When the Lansing, Iowa entrepreneur sold his business, Rx Savings Solutions, for $875 million nearly three years ago, he was committed to making a difference.

Michael and Brandy Rea have a son with autism and their family foundation prioritizes support for organizations that help people with special needs.

Through sharing their story with the La Crosse Tribune in October 2024, the family connected with organizations dedicated to this cause.

“When that story was posted in the Tribune, the people at Haven for Special People read it,” he said. “They cold-called my cell phone and told me about the project, and it ended up being the type of project that fit what we were trying to do perfectly.”

The Haven on Main project aims to create an inclusive and accessible residential community for adults with disabilities in the heart of La Crosse to help create a sense of family and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

The Rea’s stand in front of the site of the future Haven on Main.
Contributed, Michael Rea

An artist’s rendering provided by the developer shows the Haven on Main design as seen from the parking lot. The detached parking lot to the right was denied by the city.
Gerrard Corp., Contributed

An artist’s rendering provided by the developer shows design plans for the Haven on Main housing development as viewed from 10th and Main streets.
Gerrard Corp., Contributed
“Being a special needs parent, one of our main concerns for our son is, ‘What is going to happen to him if something happens to us?’” said Brandy Rea. “We really believe all of these special individuals deserve a purpose and a meaningful life, and just somewhere wonderful and welcoming that will be a great home for them someday.”

The project’s significance resonated with both of them, and they committed $1 million to support construction of the La Crosse community.

“It will really help advance the efforts, as far as getting off the ground and making this building a reality and making it come to life,” said Brandy Rea. “This will be really meaningful in the building of the project. So we’re really excited for what we can do for this community.”

On Monday, the Haven for Special People and Couleecap will launch the public phase of its fundraising campaign as it seeks to raise $500,000.

The Rea family will join in the announcement as the campaign’s lead donors.

To date, $3.7 million of the $4.2 million needed for the project has been raised to support the $23.5 million housing development.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment