...Full Story Here

Community Updates, News Stories, Best Practices, Resources, and other data supporting the development of affordable housing for the citizens of Wisconsin in every city and region in the State. Please consider partnering with us and sharing your story

Republicans want lower property taxes and less regulation. Democrats emphasize funding affordable housing development programs and renter rights. Both want to incentivize developers to build cheaper options.

   ...Full Story Here

Ken Notes: We need to allow communities design neighborhoods that support affordable workforce housing. Smaller lots, smaller homes, quality manufactured units, infrastructure assistance, help with interest rates, owner occupied, nice amenities, partner with developers and builders. Also remember each community is different, a solution for Milwaukee will and should look dramatically different that a solution for rural Wisconsin.

The current "Affordable Housing Programs" are not addressing the need for affordable workforce housing. We need more quality homes for service, retail, and entry level employees that allow them to build equity through ownership. Keep the math simple if 50K is a fair living wage then $ 1,250 is a fair housing payment (30%). So assuming your entire $1,250 monthly payment is for the principal and interest @ %6.5, you can afford a home loan of approximately $200,000ish.

VIROQUA, Wis. (WKBT) — City officials celebrated the opening of Main Street Apartments Friday, a 65-unit workforce housing development that combines affordable apartments with a childcare facility for working families in western Wisconsin.

The development features housing units, retail space and a 6,000-square-foot childcare facility called the Bumble and Bloom Early Learning Center. The center will serve approximately 65 children ranging from six weeks to six years old.

La Crosse-based VARC will operate the early learning center, which city leaders say addresses a critical need for working families in the area.

Governor Tony Evers attended Friday`s ribbon-cutting ceremony and praised the community-wide effort that made the development possible.

"There were so many players putting this together — the city, but you name it, anybody who is anybody in western Wisconsin had something to do with this," Evers said. "But at the end of the day it was a local project with local people."...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo’s notes: Viroqua’s new Main Street Apartments pairs 65 units of workforce housing with an on-site childcare center—meeting two of rural Wisconsin’s most pressing needs in one project. By combining affordability, family support, and local collaboration, it’s a model of holistic workforce investment—a model many of our communities ought to watch...

“Wisconsin has a severe housing problem,” Armstrong said. “The median home price has more than doubled in the last 10 years, and there aren’t enough affordable options for would-be first-time home owners. Besides being a problem for potential buyers, this is a problem for employers, as no one wants to work where they can’t afford to live...

“The housing package my colleagues and I passed today will help to improve this situation, and I am proud that four proposals I introduced were included.”The four Armstrong bills the Assembly approved are:

• Assembly Bill 194, which grants additional flexibilities to three housing programs the Legislature created in the 2023-2025 session, for which $475 million was allocated...

• Assembly Bill 280, which updates the Business Development Tax Credit program to allow more employers to claim the credit for investments they make in workforce housing and childcare...

• Assembly Bill 451, which allows municipalities to establish residential tax incremental districts. This will help developers defray the costs of infrastructure — streets, sidewalks, sewers, etc....

• Assembly Bill 375 — relating to the Historic Tax Credit — was originally on the Oct. 7 calendar but will be taken up at a later date....

   ...Full Story Here

Leo’s notes: Wisconsin’s Assembly advanced a major housing package aimed at easing costs and boosting supply through tax credits, TIF districts, and zoning alignment. By tying workforce housing directly to business development and infrastructure tools, the package signals a shift toward coordinated, economy-linked solutions. Eagerly following the advancement of these bills...

La Crosse, WI: October 14, 2025
free tickets here

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) — Homelessness remains a contentious issue in La Crosse, but a new documentary screening aims to unite people from various perspectives by showcasing what they say is a successful model.

The film Beyond the Bridge follows up on Under the Bridge, a documentary by A Bigger Vision Films about the criminalization of homelessness in Indiana. The new documentary seeks to answer the question, "What`s the solution?"

"We took that seriously and we started studying up and came across Housing First," said Don Sawyer, producer and director of Beyond the Bridge. "And so we met the guy who created Housing First as a solution to homelessness... And that`s where the story begins."

La Crosse native and Milwaukee County housing administrator James Mathy said Housing First is often criticized for its implementation in some areas. However, the film highlights Milwaukee`s model, which Mathy said boasts a 95 percent success rate in maintaining housing for individuals...

   ...Full Story Here

ENABLING BETTER PLACES: A USER’S GUIDE TO WISCONSIN NEIGHBORHOOD AFFORDABILITY	WHEDA’s Rural Affordable Workforce Housing Initiative	Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
WISCAP Affordable Housing Network	Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources	Housing Authority City of Milwaukee (HACM)
Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp	WEDA Legislative Tracker	NRA Housing Needs By State / Wisconsin
Wisconsin Housing Alliance	Office of Rural Prosperity Wisconsin Economic Development

   ...Full Story Here

Nate Notes: to be included as a Workforce Housing resource email us a link and a brief note to: wwhnews.com@gmail.com...

The proposals still need to pass the state Senate, which hasn`t convened in months

   ...Full Story Here

MADISON, Wis. — The City of Madison is receiving $1.3 million in funding from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to help clean up contaminated soil at affordable housing development project sites...

What You Need To Know

• The City of Madison is receiving $1.3 million in funding from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to help clean up contaminated soil at affordable housing development project sites


• There are three properties being used in the Huxley Yards redevelopment project on the city’s north side: 1846 Commercial Avenue and 905 and 1003 Huxley Street


• The site had previously been leased by the neighboring Oscar Mayer facility, where it stored fuel oil and used it as a coal yard.


• After an environmental assessment of the properties, officials found contamination...

   ...Full Story Here

MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) — New workforce housing is coming to a vacant five-acre plot in Marquette Township following the approval of a Brownfield Plan on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The Marquette County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of the plan, which will bring 48 new cottages, duplexes, and townhomes to Marquette Township. Marquette County Treasurer Jackie Solomon said the development would be at 170 County Road 492, right across from Lost Creek.

Of the total units, 17 must be sold to individuals at or below 120% of the area median income (AMI), which is $50,034, according to recent U.S. Census data...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo’s notes: Marquette Township’s approval of a Brownfield Plan for 48 new workforce homes shows how underused land can be leveraged to meet urgent housing needs. By combining mixed-income ownership opportunities with smart tax capture, local leaders are aligning redevelopment with affordability goals—a model to watch.

Groundbreaking for the Veterans Community Project was held Monday

Construction is set to begin soon for a project in Milwaukee aimed at getting homeless veterans off the street and into housing. 

The development, spearheaded by Veterans Community Project, will bring 40 tiny homes to a 7-acre site on Milwaukee’s northwest side. Each tiny home will be anywhere from 240 to 320 square feet and will come fully furnished. 

Bryan Meyer, Veterans Community Project cofounder and CEO, said people in the program will be able to live there for free with access to case managers to help get them into permanent housing...

   ...Full Story Here

Ken Notes: I like these projects, but 300 sq. ft. is, well tiny. and while this is a part of the solution we need more 1,200 sq. ft. homes for those working and looking to enter the housing market rather than renting an apartment.

Best known as the heart of the domestic cheese industry and the home of the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin is now drawing attention for having some of the nation`s hottest housing markets.

For the fifth consecutive month, Springfield, MA, took the crown as the nation`s most in-demand city, according to the Realtor.com® September 2025 Hottest Housing Markets. 

But overall, Wisconsin dominates in the latest ranking, with seven of the 20 hottest markets located in the Badger State. ...

   ...Full Story Here

Across Wisconsin many employees can simply not afford to live where they work.

This is true in big cities and small rural communities. Both the availability and price of housing is not in line with the needs of those working in jobs that are vital to the success of our communities. Imagine a firefighter, teacher, city employee, service, or retail worker not able to afford a home in the community they serve.

We believe Wisconsin employers will support these efforts so they can successfully recruit workers to fill the thousands of job openings now hampered by a shortage of affordable housing.


   ...Full Story Here

   ...Full Story Here

WWHNEWS Notes: To add a resource or correct above send data and link to wwhnews.com[at]gmail.com...