Bear Development of Kenosha would demolish the WMC headquarters at 501 E. Washington Ave., which the business association built when it moved from Milwaukee in the 1980s, and construct a seven-story apartment building with 223 studio through two-bedroom units. The project would also have a parking garage with 68 stalls.
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Wisconsin Workforce Housing News
Ken Harwood
Advocating for Wisconsin
HarwoodKen [at] gmail.com
Cell 608.334.2174
Cell 608.792.9994
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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
State offers financial help for renovating older homes
Grants are also available to support housing in mixed-use buildings.
Wisconsin is experiencing a housing crunch, and the northwest area of the state is no exception. The construction of new homes faces several challenges, including a labor shortage and the cost of materials.
One answer is to revitalize existing housing stock, targeting older homes.
“A law passed in 2023 gave us $50 million to support the renovations of homes more than 40 years old,” said Elmer Moore Jr., the director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority....
...Full Story Here
Ken Notes: We need a series of solutions to create affordable Workforce Housing, and this is a great one!
A long-delayed project would build `tiny homes` for vets. It`s taking a big step forward
A long-delayed plan to develop "tiny homes" for homeless veterans and their families on Milwaukee`s northwest side is taking another big step forward.
The Plan Commission is endorsing zoning approval for the development, which Kansas City-based Veterans Community Project Inc. plans to build on a 7-acre site at 6767 N. 60th St.
The development would have 40 homes, ranging from 240 to 340 square feet, provided rent-free. Each home would include a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping areas, with eight homes set aside for families.
A village center would provide social activities as well as case management services, education, and health and wellness programming. The goal is to help residents become stable and find jobs and new housing...
See Also:
Ken Notes: I hope we create some pride in ownership, and this is a huge success. Imagine if one of our service benefits were housing (when needed) for life! The key to success here is design, design, design! Also, the shared amenities and open spaces are key. We need to start building neighborhoods and communities, not "shelters".
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority: Ranabhat transitions to business development role
MADISON, Wisc. – The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) announced today that Shreedhar Ranabhat will transition to a business development role within Commercial Lending, a newly created position in the organization. The commercial lending team focuses on deploying capital and resources to finance multifamily affordable housing and business development projects throughout Wisconsin.“We see a great opportunity for Shreedhar to continue tackling the housing crisis in this new position that brings all his relationships and experience to bear,” said WHEDA CEO Elmer Moore, Jr.
Ranabhat will work directly with development community members to align their needs with WHEDA resources and seek opportunities to expand ideas that will lead to more affordable housing in Wisconsin...
Ken Notes: As a planner and advisor to developers, it is often difficult to align the available resources from WHEDA with the actual needs of a community.
$2.5 million investment will help expand affordable housing in Greenfield
A $2.5 million investment in federal funds will help expand housing options for seniors and families as part of the Greenfield Affordable Housing Project, officials announced Thursday.
Layton Preserve, 9890 W. Chapman Ave., will be a 45-unit community that will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom townhouse units. It will feature 38 senior units and seven family units, as well as an on-site fitness center and a clubroom with a kitchen...
"To see this happening not only here but all across Milwaukee County, for me, is just showing that not only are we giving people greater access, but we`re starting to see more communities actually understand the need for more affordable housing," County Executive David Crowley said.
...Full Story Here
Leonardo Silva Architecture Notes:Senior and affordable housing focus coming to fruition in Greenfield.
Ken Notes:Leonardo Silva is a friend with a serious interest in affordable housing in Wisconsin. Check out his website HERE!
Local builder raises issues with allowing HUD-code housing in residential areas
Provisions to potentially increase the flexibility of housing options in the city of Medford met with pushback from a local builder concerned with reducing standards and potentially negatively impacting property values.John Mueller spoke with members of the city’s planning commission on Monday about his concern with the potential of the city to allow manufactured housing to be placed in general residential districts.
Currently, manufactured homes in the city are restricted to being placed in either in Mink Capital Terrace or Riverview mobile home communities.
With the change in style and manufacturing techniques for these types of homes, the city is considering loosening the restrictions to provide an opportunity for lower-cost housing options for entry level homeowners as well as those looking to downsize later in life.
Mueller said he became aware of the city’s discussions through coverage in The Star News and given his background in building wanted to share his insight into the issue. He said the median income is Wisconsin is $64,000 which working through standard housing formulas, would make homes in the $200,000 range affordable with mortgage payments of about $1,600 per month. According to federal statistics, the median household income in the city of Medford is $53,173 per year and the median individual income is $35,29, which impacts affordability formulas.... ...Full Story Here
Ken Notes: We need developers who are building neighborhoods. I`ll bet John eats at local restaurants, drinks local coffee, buys local gas, shops local stores yet he does not want the very people who are taking care of him to live near him. This is a problem! John should be BUILDING the sub 200K units to earn the right to build the 500K+ units...
Southeast Area Plan
Madison Madness!!!It`s that time of year again and the City of Madison is getting into the spirit with a new way for residents to share their perspectives. The “Madison Madness” bracket takes aspects of future planning – like housing, neighborhood amenities, transportation, and recreation – and puts them into a bracket format, allowing residents to think about their priorities and share them with the City in a fun and unique way.
Each “team” in the bracket represents a component of what the future of the city could be. The bracket’s four “regions” represent a different area of focus: Neighborhood Destinations, Places to Live, Streets and Getting Around, and Open Spaces and Recreation. Each “region” is broken down into eight different aspects of those categories. There are 32 items in the bracket overall....
Fill out your bracket and tell us your perspectives!
...Full Story HereKen Notes: A very cool idea. You pick what is most important to you, my concern is those that need and use the services will non be playing the game. We are often guilty of building what we may want not what our service workers may need.
Women Build, Housing Week and Neighbor’s Day with Habitat La Crosse’s Kahya Fox
Kahya Fox, executive director of Habitat For Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region, in the WIZM studio Thursday for La Crosse Talk discussing all things housing, as they get set for the Women Build Program this weekend, plus the first-ever housing week, preceded by Neighbor’s Day next month.
We also discussed Habitat’s first-time homebuyers program, which just led to a discussion about housing in general and the dilemmas that La Crosse — and everywhere — are facing...
...Full Story HereGen Z, millennials prioritize quality over size in home-buying trends
Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – As the housing market continues to evolve, younger generations are redefining what they want in a home. New research reveals that a majority of Gen Z (53%) and millennial (52%) home buyers are willing to trade square footage for higher-quality materials and amenities.
This shift in preference is shaping how homebuilders approach new construction. “Builders are responding to home buyer preferences and constructing homes with less square footage, which are generally more affordable and easier to maintain,” said Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) President Mike Derrick.
For more information about new homes in Wisconsin, visit the Wisconsin Builders Association at www.wisbuild.org/empowered-homeowners.
...Full Story Here
Habitat for Humanity helps to unlock opportunities for affordable homeownership in ninth annual Home is the Key campaign
ATLANTA, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2024 State of the Nation`s Housing report, published by Harvard University`s Joint Center for Housing Studies, painted a stark picture. Home prices reached a new all-time high last year, slowing homeownership growth and widening homeownership gaps. Both housing shortages and housing cost burdens were at their highest rates in years, leaving millions of potential first-time buyers priced out.
The effects of the housing crisis are felt in every region of the country, from the most rural town to the largest metropolitan area, and families continue to face barriers to affordable homeownership. Today, Habitat for Humanity is kicking off its ninth annual Home is the Key awareness and fundraising campaign to call attention to the need for affordable housing and to help open the door to equitable homeownership across the U.S. As campaign sponsors, Astound, Lowe`s, At Home, and Richard, are providing financial and volunteer support for Home is the Key. iHeart Radio will help amplify key messages through nationwide radio features, social media, and digital during the month of April...
2024 State of the Nation`s Housing Report
...Full Story Here
What is `workforce housing` and why does Milwaukee need more of it?
Milwaukeeans who earn too much to qualify for tax credit-financed apartments — but still have trouble finding affordable housing — could be getting help from City Hall.
A plan to help finance middle-tier "workforce housing" through property taxes from new apartment buildings is coming, according to Mayor Cavalier Johnson`s administration.
That could help pending projects, including a downtown high-rise. But developers say they`ve been waiting a year for the policy, and are concerned a draft proposal is unworkable.
Meanwhile, Gov. Tony Evers` 2025-27 budget proposal would encourage workforce housing developments throughout Wisconsin.
A plan to help finance middle-tier "workforce housing" through property taxes from new apartment buildings is coming, according to Mayor Cavalier Johnson`s administration.
That could help pending projects, including a downtown high-rise. But developers say they`ve been waiting a year for the policy, and are concerned a draft proposal is unworkable.
Meanwhile, Gov. Tony Evers` 2025-27 budget proposal would encourage workforce housing developments throughout Wisconsin.
Key Points:
- Mayor Cavalier Johnson`s administration is working on a plan to help finance "workforce housing" through property taxes from new apartment buildings.
- Workforce housing targets people who earn too much to qualify for tax credit-financed apartments but not enough for market-rate units.
- Developers are eager for the city to finalize the policy. But they are concerned a draft proposal is unworkable.
- Gov. Tony Evers` proposed budget would encourage workforce housing developments throughout Wisconsin.
Ken Notes: Great read on affordable VS. Affordable or market rate vs. government subsidized. If you run into a "paywall" try opening the article in a Private Window.
Don’t Wait on Congress: How States Can Better Use PABs To Increase the Supply of Affordable Rental Housing
Rather than wait on Congress, states should act now to increase the supply of affordable rental housing by optimizing how they use their private activity bonds (PABs) cap.
While pushing Congress to expand affordable housing tax provisions (such as an increasing 9% low-income housing tax credits [LIHTCs], reducing the financed-by test for PAB-financed housing and allowing more basis boosts) in this year’s widely anticipated extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, developers, bond cap allocating agencies and others should act now to generate more PAB-financed affordable housing.
The dollar volume of the aggregate national PAB cap used for affordable rental housing more than tripled from 2015 through 2021, surpassing $10 billion in 2016 and reaching $21 billion in 2021 before retreating to $17.9 billion in 2022 (the most recent year for which such information is available from the Council of Development Finance Agencies [CDFA])...
Low Income Housing Tax Credits
...Full Story Here
Barron County coalition unites resource agencies to reduce poverty
Community Connections to Prosperity holds quarterly events under one roof to provide clothing, food, housing assistance and more
In May 2017, a tornado ripped through Barron County, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses.
Agencies from across the county united to help provide relief. The response sparked a question for Sarah Turner, a public health specialist, who was involved in the effort.
“Why wait for [disaster] to happen?” she told WPR...
...“Twenty-five to 30 agencies [meet] quarterly under one roof to help meet people’s needs on site,” she said....
Ken Notes: What a great idea! Every County or Region should have all the housing professionals meet once every quarter. Invite WHEDA, WEDC, USDA, and others. Read the article, you will be impressed with the ideas they a=have come up with!
Spring real estate in Wisconsin sees low inventory to start the year. Here`s what to expect in 2025.
MILWAUKEE — The spring real estate market kicks off in the month of January in the state of Wisconsin. However, the month of March is when more listings hit the market.
Data for the greater Milwaukee area shows that February home sales were down nearly 4% compared to February last year. However, the number of listings rose in February by nearly half a percent.
Data for the greater Milwaukee area shows that February home sales were down nearly 4% compared to February last year. However, the number of listings rose in February by nearly half a percent.
What You Need To Know
- Data for the greater Milwaukee area shows that February home sales were down nearly 4% compared to February last year. However, the number of listings rose in February by nearly half a percent
- Mike Ruzicka is the president of the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors. Ruzicka said low inventory is the biggest thing they are keeping an eye on this season
- February’s supply in the state of Wisconsin is lower than is needed to be able to have a stable market for both buyers and sellers
- When it comes to the thoughts of a recession making an impact on the real estate market and economy, retired Marquette professor of economics, Dave Clark said, its not likely...
SEE ALSO:
Wisconsin Realtors says home prices continue rising
Wisconsin Realtors see home demand growing
Ken Notes: My housing studies have all shown few if any are leaving there affordable homes because there is now where to go even if they want to...
A former shopping center`s planned redevelopment into 257 apartments is taking a step forward
A former Greenfield shopping center`s planned redevelopment into roughly 250 apartments is taking a step forward with the project site`s sale.
The largely vacant Spring Mall, 4200 S. 76th St., was sold for $4 million by the City of Greenfield to a Mandel Group Inc. affiliate: Cold Spring Crossing Apartments LLC.
That`s according to a new deed posted online by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The city purchased the 23.9-acre property in June 2023 for $3.7 million to help redevelop the site.
Mandel Group plans to begin construction during the third quarter, said President and Chief Operating Officer Phillip Aiello. That work should take around 20 months to complete, he said...
...Full Story Here
Ken Notes: I remain a Mandel Group fan!
Wausau Habitat partnership, infill housing plan advances
The Wausau Economic Development Committee on Tuesday approved proposals to advance affordable housing efforts in the city, including a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build a modular home on Jefferson Street.The committee unanimously approved selling a city-owned infill lot at 727 Jefferson St. to Habitat for Humanity of Wausau for $1,000. Members also approved issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to seek contractor partnerships for building homes on additional infill lots.
Community Development Manager Tammy Stratz told the committee that the Jefferson Street project gained momentum after a previous modular home proposal for Bridge Street was rejected by the Wausau City Council due to high costs....
...Full Story HereNotes: Public and private partnerships are helping to bring affordable, infill housing in Wausau and elsewhere.
Big housing development planned just blocks from Wisconsin Capitol
A developer that has done several
low-income housing projects in the Madison area is looking to build
apartments at an East Washington Avenue site five blocks from Capitol
Square that has long been occupied by Wisconsin Manufacturers and
Commerce.The developer is aiming to break ground on the project by the end of this year and have it completed by 2027, Nick Orthmann, a project manager with Bear Development, told a meeting with neighbors in January. Later filings with the city put the construction start date in early 2026.
All of the apartment building’s units would be rent- and income-restricted, Orthmann said...
...Full Story Here
Ken Notes: At least one of these new developments should include a resource facility providing mail boxes, day work space, computer access, classrooms, laundry, offices for voluntary health and mental health assistance, clean STAFFED restrooms, exercise equipment and showers. Like the Beacon, this facility could be available to the under-housed as well as homeless...
Former elementary school in Beloit being transformed to address homelessness
BELOIT, Wis. — Family Services of Southern Wisconsin is transforming the former Royce Elementary School in Beloit into apartments and a community space for families in need, called Next Steps Family Resilience Center.
...Full Story HereFirst-time homebuyers struggle as Racine housing market heats up
Rising home prices and mortgage rates are pricing out first-time buyers in Racine, with affordability at historic lows despite strong demand.
RACINE, WI — First-time homebuyers are becoming increasingly rare as rising home prices and mortgage rates push affordability out of reach, real estate experts say.
As 2025 approaches, the Racine housing market remains competitive, with homes selling even faster than a year ago. Higher prices and mortgage rates mean buyers need a higher household income to qualify for the limited inventory available...
...Full Story HereAs 2025 approaches, the Racine housing market remains competitive, with homes selling even faster than a year ago. Higher prices and mortgage rates mean buyers need a higher household income to qualify for the limited inventory available...
Wisconsin Workforce Housing Resources
...Full Story Here
Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
Nate Notes: to be included as a Workforce Housing resource email us a link and a brief note to: wwhnews.com@gmail.com...
River Falls City Council approves ordinances, zoning amendments and annexations for housing. Why?
In the fall of 2017, the city of River Falls hired Maxfield Research and Consulting to complete a comprehensive housing needs analysis. The data included demographics, employment, housing characteristics and affordability, and for sale, rental, senior, and special needs markets. The study projects out to 2030. However, the City updated the housing needs analysis in 2022 to better understand the further changes in the housing market.
“I think we thought it was a good idea for us to get some, some specific market data to try to understand what we could do, or at least what was happening in the market. Maybe some projections were trying to understand what things might be occurring going forward in the future,” said Scot Simpson, the City Administrator... ...Full Story Here
Leonardo Silva Architecture Notes: Great zoning reforms were made that will help solve housing issues highlighted in their housing study.
City Agrees to Terms for 59 Affordable Housing Apartments
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Sturgeon Bay and the Milwaukee-based Spoerl Commercial to construct an affordable housing apartment development at North 14th Avenue and Georgia Street was approved Tuesday by the Common Council.Developer Brian Spoerl, who plans to construct three, three-story apartment buildings totaling up to 59 units in two phases, sought the MOU for the first phase, to be known as “The Avenue,” which will consist of 39 units in two buildings on the south end of the site.
Spoerl said the first phase was changed from 38 to 39 units by replacing a three-bedroom unit that had been planned with two, one-bedroom units.
“It’s a benefit to the community to have that extra unit,” he said. “We don’t get that tax credit benefit of that extra unit, so we have to absorb that, but overall it’s a net benefit to the entire project.” ...
DOGE closures in Wisconsin: List, timeline of offices that may close
MILWAUKEE - Hundreds of offices across the country will become empty this summer as the federal government plans to cancel leases in nearly every state – including Wisconsin.
Ken Notes: Several could impact housing...
‘Predictable’ Hobart a rarity for developers in Wisconsin
While many municipalities throw up roadblocks, Brown County village welcomes increased supply of homes
Unlike many places in Wisconsin, there is no housing crisis in the Village of Hobart because its leaders have done something developers say is exceedingly rare — making it as easy and predictable as possible for them to do business there.With approximately 11,000 residents, Hobart is one of the fastest growing communities in one of the fastest growing counties, Brown, in the state.
The overall equalized value of the village adjacent to and west of Green Bay’s Austin Straubel International Airport was $1.7 billion in 2024, and more than three-quarters of it is in residential property. Coming out of COVID in 2021, the valuation was a little more than $1.1 billion. Twenty years ago, it was just more than $500 million...
Can Wright and McNeel schools help ease housing crunch in Beloit?
BELOIT — It’s no secret that there’s a housing affordability crisis in America and that includes Wisconsin and Beloit.
According to a Wisconsin Policy Forum report last year, the median sale price of homes grew by 50% from 2017 to 2022 while median household income grew by just 19.7%. There wasn’t good news for renters either. In 2022 the share of renters paying more than 30% of their gross income on housing — which means they are “cost-burdened — had grown to 45.4%.
Drilling down further, according to the Census Bureau, the median family income of families in the city of Beloit grew from $55,442 in 2020 to $59,975 in 2023, an 8.1% increase. At the same time, the median sale price of homes in Rock County soared from $185,000 at the end of 2020 to $250,000 at the end of 2023, a 35% jump. The median sale price of homes at the end of 2024 jumped again to $269,950....
...Full Story Here
Ken Notes: I like these projects but have to note that the cost of remodeling nonresidential properties can be more that building from scratch...
Everyday Heroes: The Gateway Collective makes workforce housing affordable
GREEN BAY, Wis. — As of March, Sebastian Kravick and his sister now call the City Center Lofts in downtown Green Bay their home.
“I get to walk to work because it’s only a couple minutes away. My sister as well works right downtown so we’re both right here,” said Kravick...
...Full Story Here
East Washington Ave. income-restricted apartment development to address Madison housing crisis
Development to help city meet goal of creating 15,000 new homes by 2030, with 25% offering long-term affordability
As Madison grapples with an ongoing housing crisis, a new low-income apartment development will aim to provide affordable housing in the heart of the city.
Bear Development, a Kenosha-based firm with a history of constructing income-restricted housing, has unveiled plans for a seven-story, 223-unit residential building at 501 E. Washington Ave. in Madison, northeast of the Capitol, according to the City of Madison.
Bear Development is committed to creating high-quality properties that add value to the community, according to the firm’s website.
The new development will replace the longtime headquarters of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce on Washington Ave., which will relocate to 2 Buttonwood Ct., according to In Business....
Fort McCoy leaders assist in housing planning during local economic development committee housing meeting
Fort McCoy leaders and team members took time out March 25 to participate in the Monroe County Economic Development Housing Meeting in Sparta, Wis., to support the planning and discussion for addressing housing in the county.Participating from Fort McCoy were Fort McCoy Deputy Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Mike Corkum, Fort McCoy Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Director Liane Haun, Fort McCoy Housing Chief Zach Hynes, and other installation members.
According to the Monroe County Economic Develop Committee who spearheaded the event, topics addressed were:
— Current housing situation in Monroe County;
— Reviewing where the greatest need for housing is;
— Defining “affordable” housing;
— Looking at what other counties are doing to address a lack of housing;
— Funding opportunities for housing the committee might be missing;
— How can all the varying agencies collaborate to address housing issues in Monroe County;
— And what are some actions Monroe County can take to address housing concerns.
Oneida County launches study to address housing challenges
ONEIDA COUNTY – The Oneida County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC), in collaboration with the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC), is conducting a comprehensive study to address growing concerns over housing affordability and availability in the county.
A release from OCEDC said it is seeking input from the public and local employers to “ensure a comprehensive analysis.”
“Community members are encouraged to complete the housing survey, which will play a crucial role in shaping the study’s recommendations,” OCEDC stated.
The survey will be available online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GGXF6RN through Friday, April 11, and results will be published in May...
...Full Story Here
Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity joins statewide effort to tackle housing crisis
GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — The Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity is marking its 40th anniversary by teaming up with all 32 Wisconsin chapters to address the state`s affordable housing crisis. Their goal: to build faster, smarter, and stronger—both in Green Bay and across Wisconsin.
“The housing crisis is so big that it`s pushing us to the forefront of trying to find ways to solve it,” said Jessica Diederich, CEO of Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity....
...Full Story Here
GCDC launches $2.8M Housing Development Fund to boost local housing
MONROE — Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) is excited to announce the launch of the Housing Development Fund, a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the county’s housing needs by incentivizing new residential development. Backed by $2.8 million in funding from six local partners, this program will provide low-interest loans to developers, encouraging the construction of new homes across Green County.Fueled by the 2024 Housing Study conducted by Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, and multiple community housing forums hosted by GCDC and Green County Healthy Community Coalition (GCHCC), efforts were targeted to bring affordable, single and multi-family homes to the county. The 2024 study indicated a need for over 1,700 homes to be built before 2030 to support growth in the area.
“The Housing Development Fund is a momentum builder designed to create a thriving, sustainable, and diverse housing market that supports workforce growth, enhances community well-being, and fosters long-term economic stability. By bridging funding gaps, engaging local developers and financial institutions, and promoting strategic housing investments, we are not just building homes — we are building a future that says Green County is a great place to grow, invest, and call home,” said Olivia Otte, Executive Director at GCDC. “This initiative is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. It takes a strong, collaborative team to drive economic growth, and we are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our partners in making this vision a reality.” ....
3D printed and factory-built homes could help tackle housing crisis
DENVER (AP) — As Americans struggle under backbreaking rental prices, builders are turning to innovative ways to churn out more housing, from 3D printing to assembling homes in an indoor factory to using hemp — yes, the marijuana cousin — to make building blocks for walls.It’s a response to the country’s shortfall of millions of homes that has led to skyrocketing prices, plunging millions into poverty.
“There’s not enough homes to purchase and there’s not enough places to rent. Period,” said Adrianne Todman, the acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under former President Joe Biden...
Ken Notes: We need to develop neighborhoods with smaller affordable homes in the mix. We do not want trailer parks we want a community...
About Wisconsin Workforce Housing News (WWHNews.com)
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 aggregate news and highlight programs that are working to provide affordable workforce housing in Wisconsin. We advocate for state and local policies that improve the more affordable housing markets. We encourage developers to build new homes that are affordable for those working for Wisconsin while still making a fair profit on the work they do. We encourage communities and neighborhoods to become partners in meeting these needs. We highlight what others have done as a form of "Best Practices" in the State and Country. Finally, we provide direct links to resources and programs in the State.
Safe, affordable housing makes a difference in the lives of children and families impacting both education and health. We are supporting affordable housing because it is good for business, good for families, good for communities, and good for Wisconsin.
Ken Harwood
Editor / Publisher
Advocating for Wisconsin
608.334.2174
harwoodken[at]gmail.com
List of Housing Resources
State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF) Program
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
DANE WORKFORCE HOUSING FUND
Dane County Regional Housing Strategy (RHS)
A Housing Hurdle: Demographics Drive Need for More Homes
Wisconsin Homeowners Alliance
WRA’s “Falling Behind” report
Social Development Commission - Pathway to success
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
Middleton Workforce Housing Committe
Milwaukee’s Collective Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
Workforce Housing Initiative For Wisconsin
2020 Symposia Series on Workforce Housing
Wisconsin Homeowners Alliance.org/resources/
City of Milwaukee Affordability Report
WHEDA Qualified Allocation Plan
10-Year Plan to End Homelessness
City of Milwaukee Consolidated Plan
Wisconsin Consolidated Plan
SEWRPC Regional Housing Plan
Wisconsin Policy Forum Reports
Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights
White House Fact Sheet on Rental Affordability
Community Economic Development / Division of Extension
Oshkosh Kids Foundation Tiny House Village
WWHNEWS Notes: To add a resource or correct above send data and link to wwhnews.com[at]gmail.com...