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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

A new form of housing could be coming soon to Madison: the “cottage court.”

Under a proposal to the City Council, Madison would allow clusters of up to eight small detached homes of up to 1,000 square feet — typically one to 1.5 stories in height oriented around a greenspace or courtyard — in all suburban residential and most traditional residential zones, excluding high-density urban residential areas.

Madison is one of the latest cities across the country to consider permitting cottage courts as municipalities wrestle with housing availability and affordability. Housing experts see cottages as a piece of the so-called “missing middle” level of housing between single family homes on one end of the density spectrum and apartment complexes on the other...

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Leo’s notes: Madison’s move to legalize cottage courts is exactly the kind of gentle, incremental density cities need if they’re serious about affordability without sacrificing neighborhood character. Clusters of 6–8 small homes around shared green space can open up ownership to teachers, service workers, downsizing seniors, and multigenerational households — people who are currently priced out of single-family districts but don’t want (or need) a big apartment building. The challenge will be making the numbers pencil out on land and construction costs, but if Madison pairs this zoning change with land trusts, tax-increment tools, or nonprofit partners, cottage courts could become a real “missing middle” option instead of a curiosity.

Ken Notes: We also need to consider design and amenities as we increase density. Like nicer apartments, smaller or manufactured homes can be very comfortable to live in.

GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- An urban barn has long been part of plans for a new neighborhood that`s being built on Green Bay`s east side.

The city is now considering paying for the barn with ARPA funds originally set aside to increase affordable housing options.

Between Walmart and the Kroc Center, work continues on the 26 acres of land JBS donated during the COVID-19 pandemic that will include a variety of housing, a destination playground and the urban barn.

“It’s really designed to be a real food transformation hub for our community, and really linking community health, economic development, workforce development and food all in a central location,” said Natalie Bomstad, executive director of Wello, a nonprofit focused on community health...

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Leo’s notes: Green Bay’s east side redevelopment shows how housing can anchor broader community well-being. As the city weighs ARPA funding for an “urban barn” within the new JBS Park neighborhood, the project illustrates that affordable housing doesn’t stand alone—it flourishes when paired with access to food, jobs, and shared community spaces. With 95 workforce apartments underway and more planned, Green Bay is redefining how local investments can connect housing, health, and opportunity in ways that strengthen both families and the local economy.

Ken Notes: Like I said, amenities can bring much to a project. Apartments have been doing this for decades, it is time for neighborhoods to step up. I like the idea of mixing food, health, recreation and more into our communities...

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) today announced it has awarded $52 million through its 2025 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund round to help finance 37 housing projects located in Illinois and Wisconsin. This funding will enable the acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction of over 1,600 housing units.

"Affordable housing remains a critical need throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, especially as residents face elevated interest rates, limited inventory, and increased construction costs,” said Michael Ericson, President and CEO, FHLBank Chicago. “Through our AHP General Fund, we’re proud to partner with our members and community organizations to increase supply of, and expand access to, quality housing."

Since program inception in 1989 through year-end 2024, FHLBank Chicago has allocated more than $550 million in AHP General Fund grants, helping provide housing for over 83,000 households. The 2025 award recipients will support a range of communities—including rural, urban and tribal areas—and populations such as seniors, veterans, and working families...   ...Full Story Here

A more efficient, affordable development model helps Habitat for Humanity build more homes during a housing crisis. But some Wisconsin municipalities exclude manufactured homes from neighborhoods.

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Leo’s notes: Habitat for Humanity’s embrace of factory-built housing in La Crosse and Hillsboro shows how innovation and compassion can meet the moment in Wisconsin’s housing crisis. By using high-quality manufactured homes, Habitat is cutting costs, building faster, and opening doors for families who might otherwise never afford a home — while proving these houses can be beautiful, durable, and community-strengthening. Yet, restrictive zoning in many municipalities still blocks such solutions, clinging to outdated stigmas about “trailers.” If Wisconsin is serious about affordability, accessibility, and equity, local governments must modernize their codes to welcome these efficient, dignified homes that give working families — like the Bessels — a true place to belong.

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

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

Milwaukee County may explore creating a revolving loan fund for affordable housing developments.

A revolving loan fund is a pool of capital, typically managed by a governmental entity or a non-profit, providing short-term loans to projects and then using the interest on repayments to fund more loans. They can provide gap financing for projects that are difficult to finance through private lenders, like affordable housing.

State and local governments around the country have started using revolving loan funds to finance affordable housing projects, to speed up development and eliminate the uncertainty of the federal funding process. The funds have proven a new way for the governments to develop public housing...

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Leo’a notes: Milwaukee County’s exploration of a revolving loan fund marks a promising shift toward long-term, self-sustaining housing finance. Unlike one-time grants, these funds recycle repayments into new projects—helping local governments close financing gaps and move faster than federal programs allow. With models like Montgomery County, Maryland’s $100 million fund already proving that public capital can build mixed-income housing and retain local control, Milwaukee’s interest signals an important evolution in how the region could approach affordability, equity, and ownership. The challenge now is identifying seed funding—but the payoff could be a durable tool that multiplies public investment for decades to come.

“Staff is working on some options for the funds previously awarded to (the Alexander Co.) and will be presenting some options in the near future,” Drew Pennington, Beloit economic development director Drew Pennington said in an email...

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Leo’s notes: Beloit’s stalled housing deal underscores how fragile the pipeline for affordable and workforce housing remains — even when local governments are ready to invest. With $3 million back on the table after a major project fell through, the city has a renewed opportunity to steer those dollars toward developments that truly move the needle for middle-income families. Rising rents and sluggish new construction are squeezing Beloit’s working households, while neighboring towns see record growth. Redirecting these funds quickly and strategically could help rebalance that trend — keeping Beloit competitive, livable, and within reach for the people who sustain its economy.

WAUSAU, Wis. — Wausau was recently ranked one of the top hidden gem housing markets in the Midwest by GOBankingRates. 

Wausau Mayor Doug Diny said local leaders want to make Wausau an “attractive place to live, raise a family, start and grow a business.”

Diny noted more trails are getting finished each year along the river and near industrial parks, too. Wausau also offers skiing and hiking; Diny said the city has expanded its bike trails, too.

“We’re trying to make it a livable, walkable, affordable place,” Diny said. “Affordability really comes down to supply and demand … We’ve added roughly 500 units in the last five years, so we’re moving in the right direction to meeting that demand.”..

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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.


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