This Weeks Articles for 7/20/2026 ...

1. Controversial Bay View Affordable Housing Sails Though Council...
2. LIBRE Initiative pushing for loosened restrictions on housing development in WI...
3. 'A great thing for the neighborhood': Inside plans to redevelop The Grand...
4. Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee appoints new chief operations officer...
5. Priority Capital Advisory Arranges $11.5M Refinancing of Former Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin...
6. Acts Housing Earns Important Federal Certification...
7. Gorman & Company: Gorman & Company Fordham Place Groundbreaking & Corson Square Revitalization Ceremony...

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The once high-stakes approval of a proposed affordable housing development ended without any debate Tuesday.

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Leo's notes: Austin Commons illustrates the balancing act many Wisconsin communities face as they work to expand affordable housing. Neighborhood concerns about scale, parking, and design are important parts of the public process, but the project's approval reflects a broader recognition that addressing housing shortages requires difficult decisions and long-term investment.

A national group called the LIBRE Initiative is calling for loosening regulations on housing development in Wisconsin to improve affordability, with a focus on the state’s Hispanic community. 

Roel Sanchez, the grassroots engagement director for the group in Wisconsin and a former real estate agent, said “we are in one of the worst times” for housing availability given the limited number of homes available in the state and strong demand. 

In a recent interview on the organization’s policy goals, he argued the state’s Hispanic residents are among the most impacted by these challenges. 

“With the limited access to properties available on the market and the amount of buyers that are actually still on the market, the people that are getting affected the most are more of the individuals like our Hispanic community,” Sanchez said. 

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Ken Notes: Leo and I have been talking about a more local (Wisconsin) based housing advocacy group representing the dozens of groups now advocating for Wisconsin Housing. With the new State statues allowing for TIF and requiring housing density to be addressed in comp plans it seems to make sense to help communities navigate the waters ahead. If this makes sense to you give us a call...

MILWAUKEE - After going back to the drawing board, a real estate developer has a new plan to redevelop a former department store building on Historic Mitchell Street as apartments. If the project moves forward, it could be just the start for the property's next chapter.   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: Combining workforce housing with essential community services creates a stronger mixed-use destination that supports both residents and local businesses. As construction costs and financing challenges continue to reshape development across Wisconsin, phased redevelopment and adaptive reuse are proving to be practical strategies that preserve historic assets, expand housing opportunities, and strengthen neighborhood commercial corridors without requiring large-scale greenfield development.

MILWAUKEE — The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) announced Friday in a release the appointment of Zena Farah as its new chief operations officer.

In her new role, Farah will lead HACM’s public housing, affordable housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs.

She will provide strategic oversight for housing operations, regulatory compliance and resident services and work on “advancing the agency’s mission to deliver high-quality, affordable housing opportunities throughout Milwaukee," according to the release...

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Leo’s notes: The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) has appointed Zena Farah as its new Chief Operations Officer, further strengthening the agency's executive leadership during a period of organizational transition. Bringing experienced operational leadership into organizations like HACM can improve project delivery, strengthen resident outcomes, and build public confidence in affordable housing investments...

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...

MADISON, WIS. — Priority Capital Advisory has arranged an $11.5 million loan for the refinancing of Vivo Madison, a 153-unit property at 517 Grand Canyon Drive in Madison. The borrower is a joint venture between REALM and OTR Real Estate. The partners acquired Vivo in April 2023, at which time the property was a Radisson Hotel. OTR specializes in the conversion of hospitality assets to multifamily. Since 2023, the owners have added kitchenettes to all the units and built out the amenity spaces. Vivo received its certificate of occupancy in January 2026 and is currently 56 percent leased. The community is comprised of 147 studio units and six one-bedroom units. Each unit features a full kitchenette with an electric range, microwave, refrigerator, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, cable ports and all utilities included for a flat monthly surcharge. Amenities include a clubhouse, indoor pool, fitness center, game room, coworking space, laundry facilities and outdoor lounge areas. The two-story asset is situated on approximately 4.5 acres adjacent to University Research Park, a 1.8-million-square-foot life sciences and technology corporate campus.   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: Converting vacant hotels, offices, and other commercial properties into housing can often deliver new homes faster and at a lower cost than traditional construction while revitalizing underused real estate. This financing illustrates that preservation and conversion are not simply temporary solutions—they are viable long-term investments that help communities respond to housing shortages. As Wisconsin continues to face affordability challenges, successful projects like Vivo Madison demonstrate that creative redevelopment, supported by flexible financing, can complement new construction and provide another practical pathway toward increasing housing opportunities across the state.

Acts Housing’s mortgage lending division has received a federal designation that could open a new source of funding for the Milwaukee-based nonprofit’s homeownership programs.

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Leo's notes: Acts Housing's CDFI certification demonstrates how mission-driven financial institutions can bridge the gap for families who may be creditworthy but underserved by traditional lenders. Access to additional federal capital will allow the organization to finance more home purchases, rehabilitate aging housing stock, and create wealth-building opportunities for first-time homeowners. Strengthening organizations that combine lending, education, and neighborhood revitalization is an investment not only in housing, but also in long-term community stability and economic mobility.

BARABOO, Wis. (July 14, 2026) – Gorman & Company joins community leaders, residents, and project partners to celebrate the Fordham Place Groundbreaking & Corson Square Revitalization Ceremony on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., highlighting a transformative investment in affordable housing in Baraboo. Located at 920 10th Street, The event marks a significant milestone for two complementary developments that preserve existing affordable housing while expanding housing opportunities for residents.

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Leo's notes: This project exemplifies one of the strongest models for addressing Wisconsin's housing shortage: pairing preservation with new construction. Too often, communities focus exclusively on building new units or maintaining existing ones, when the greatest impact comes from pursuing both simultaneously. By modernizing Corson Square while adding Fordham Place, Baraboo is protecting an existing community asset and creating additional housing for working families without waiting for future redevelopment opportunities. The project also reinforces an important lesson seen across Wisconsin—successful affordable housing increasingly depends on broad public-private partnerships that leverage state, local, and nonprofit resources...

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...