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Wisconsin Workforce Housing News



Ken Harwood
Advocating for Wisconsin
608.334.2174

Leonardo Silva
Architect / Full Service Design Firm
608.698.3522


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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

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Why Madison & La Crosse Are Spotlighting Housing This May


Where we live shapes how we live—our independence, our health, our social connections, and our ability to stay rooted in the communities we love. That’s why AARP Wisconsin has a keen interest in housing, and why we’re proud to support Madison Housing Week (May 3–8) and La Crosse Housing Week (May 3–9) in 2026.

Across Wisconsin, and nationwide, most adults want to remain in their homes and communities as they age. Yet many worry their communities don’t offer the housing choices or supports needed to make that possible over time. Housing Weeks in Madison and La Crosse create space for communities to learn, share ideas, and explore solutions that expand options, strengthen neighborhoods, and support people of all ages...


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Ken Notes: See you there!

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Nonprofit home builders trumpet new Wisconsin law that provides bridge loans for first-time homebuyers


JANESVILLE — Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill into law that will help working people in Wisconsin more easily reach homeownership.

A local homebuilding nonprofit official from Habitat for Humanity said the new law, brought forth through Assembly Bill 454, will provide up to $10 million statewide for secondary home mortgages that will help first-time homeowners afford newly built housing.

Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha, Jefferson and Rock Counties Director of Development Sue Vock says the new lending program would provide additional “bridge loans” for first-time homebuyers that offset about $270 a month in mortgage cost...



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Leo's notes: this is an important complement to supply-side reforms: building homes is only half the equation—buyers also need pathways to afford them. If paired with continued efforts to expand starter-home production, programs like this can help reconnect new housing supply with the households it is intended to serve.

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Community Development Authority meeting discusses workforce and housing


The Community Development Authority met April 16 for its monthly meeting at the Whitewater Municipal Building. Board members discussed various topics such as redevelopment resources, home renewal programs and Bluff Road properties.

Principal and CEO of Redevelopment Resources Kristin Fish-Peterson attended Thursday’s meeting to analyze the development resources’ economical-based data findings from both citizens and students in Whitewater.


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Leo's notes: Whitewater officials are advancing a mix of housing and redevelopment strategies, including a 14-home single-family project on Bluff Road, updates to a home renewal loan program, and efforts to remove deed restrictions that have limited residential development. Addressing barriers like outdated deed restrictions while investing in both new construction and existing housing stock will be critical if smaller communities like Whitewater want to retain residents and strengthen their local workforce.

Ken Notes: These meeting are happening across the state at most units of local government. We need to develop a set of legislative policy goals for both state and federal governments and talk to our elected officials to find flexible affordable solutions that work. Leo and I have several ideas and have been following projects across the state. We also know there are different needs in most communities. We need measurable outcomes and "in the dirt" solutions. We need ownership (equity building) opportunities for our service and retail workers. We need to partner with developers, builders, manufacturers, nonprofit organizations, and government entities to develop a variety of solutions and remove the obstacles, that will allow us provide the new and rehabbed homes we need moving forward.

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Wisconsin workforce home loan program signed into law


Assembly Bill 454 provides zero-interest financing to help working families buy homes

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity said it played a role in the development and crafting of Assembly Bill 454.

For two years, Greater Green Bay Habitat, along with Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout Wisconsin, worked together on an affordable housing solution for rural and urban areas across the state.

The bill establishes a workforce home loan program administered through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.

The program is designed to help working families achieve homeownership near their places of employment. By providing supplemental, zero-interest financing, AB454 makes housing more accessible and affordable for Wisconsin’s workforce...

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/acts/239


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Leo's notes: Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity played a key role in shaping Wisconsin’s new workforce home loan program under AB 454, which provides zero-interest supplemental financing to help working families overcome affordability barriers and access homeownership. Programs like this won’t solve the shortage alone, but they are critical in ensuring newly built housing is actually attainable for the workforce it’s meant to serve.

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Bills signed by governor


After a session of advocating ways to address Wisconsin’s affordable housing shortage, State Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) is happy to announce that Gov. Tony Evers signed four Armstrong-introduced housing proposals into law on April 8. The Senate had passed all four bills on March 17, the last day of the regular 2025-2026 legislative session.

“As a state representative and as a county economic development director, I recognize the critical importance of affordable housing to a community’s long-term survival,” Representative Armstrong said. “Nobody wants to work where they can’t afford to live...


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Leo's notes: Governor Evers signed four bipartisan housing bills -introduced by Rep. Dave Armstrong- into law, targeting residential TID financing, LIHTC updates, loan program accessibility, and historic tax credits — adding to two additional Armstrong housing bills already signed this session. This kind of incremental, multi-tool approach is exactly what Wisconsin needs: no single bill solves the shortage, but stacking complementary supply-side incentives across rural and urban contexts moves the needle in the right direction.

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Affordable housing complex planned next to former Midtown Center Walmart


Oregon, Wisconsin-based development firm Gorman & Company plans to build a 200-unit affordable housing development next to the former Walmart store at 5825 W. Hope Ave within the Midtown Center retail complex on Milwaukee’s northwest side. The plan advanced Monday after the city’s Plan Commission approved a zoning change for the project.

The housing development, named Midtown Commons, will consist of two four-story buildings, each containing 100 apartment units of 25 one-bedroom units, 40 two-bedroom units and 35 three-bedroom units. The project site is east of North 60th Street and north of West Hope Ave and is currently a surface parking lot of the former Walmart store building. The project will span across 10 acres of land and is part of a broader multi-phase redevelopment of the site, developers said...



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Leo's notes: Milwaukee’s Midtown Commons proposal marks a major step toward reinvesting in underutilized retail land, with the project combining family-sized units, service partnerships, and public-facing amenities—both a housing solution and a catalyst for broader corridor revitalization. As seen in a few instances now, the market is heading towards large-scale affordable housing delivered through retail-to-residential conversions. As aging commercial sites lose viability, they represent one of the most scalable opportunities to add meaningful housing supply in built-out urban areas.

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La Crosse Housing Week


Welcome to La Crosse Housing Week!

May 3 - May 9, 2026

This week-long series of free events highlights our community’s housing challenges, offering opportunities to learn, engage, and take part in solutions for the future. Join us.

La Crosse needs to build more than 200 new units of housing every year through 2030 to meet current demand. How will we get there?

Join local builders from both for-profit and nonprofit development as they share their front-line perspectives on the housing crisis. This conversation will dive into the real barriers slowing progress as well as the structural changes and innovations that could create a more accessible, affordable future for La Crosse...


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Ken Notes: Consider a summit in your community...

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Armstrong Housing Bills Signed into Law


Gov. Evers Signs Four Armstrong-Authored Bills Aimed at Expanding Affordable Housing and Supporting Rural Communities.

WISCONSIN — After a session of advocating ways to address Wisconsin’s affordable housing shortage, State Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) is happy to announce that Gov. Tony Evers signed four Armstrong-introduced housing proposals into law on April 8. The Senate had passed all four bills on March 17, the last day of the regular 2025-2026 legislative session.

“As a state representative and as a county economic development director, I recognize the critical importance of affordable housing to a community’s long-term survival,” Representative Armstrong said. “Nobody wants to work where they can’t afford to live.

“Housing isn’t – or shouldn’t be – a Republican vs. Democratic issue, or an urban vs. rural issue – it affects all of us one way or another,” Representative Armstrong continued. “I’m grateful for the increased interest the housing issue received in the Legislature this session and for the bipartisan support these proposals enjoyed in committee and on the Assembly and Senate floors.”...


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Leo's notes: A broad package of bipartisan housing legislation was recently enacted with aims of reducing development barriers and expanding production. These new laws support residential TIF districts, rural LIHTC allocations, streamlined workforce housing loan access, and expand historic tax credit eligibility. While no single reform will solve the shortage, aligning tax policy, financing tools, and development regulations is exactly the type of multi-pronged strategy needed to improve long-term housing production statewide.

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Affordable Wisconsin Agenda State Senator Brad Pfaff keys in on housing, introduces affordable Wisconsin legislative packages in La Crosse


MADISON, WI – Yesterday, State Senator Brad Pfaff held a press conference in La Crosse, highlighting Senate Democrats’ commitment to addressing Wisconsin’s housing crisis and cutting costs.Senator Pfaff was joined by La Crosse County Board Supervisors Grant Mathu and Kelly Liebold, who emphasized that housing remains one of the top issues in their communities.

The four bills introduced, and part of the Health and Housing legislative package, included expanding the Homestead Tax Credit, banning hedge funds from buying single-family homes, banning algorithmic rent hikes, and improving Wisconsin’s housing stock...



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Leo's notes: Brad Pfaff’s “Affordable Wisconsin” legislative package ties housing affordability to other household pressures—healthcare, childcare, and groceries—positioning housing as part of a wider cost-of-living strategy. While these measures may provide short-term relief or market stabilization, long-term impact will still depend on whether they are paired with sustained efforts to increase housing production across Wisconsin.

Ken Notes: Interesting, but we still need a simple plan that allows local government units to buy and improve land, and then make denser properties available to builders, developers, or manufactures for homes priced well under $250K. New owners must occupy the homes for a specific period of time or repay the community. A modified version of TIF could reimburse the community for up front investment and help finance neighborhood amenities like parks, day care, health care facilities, and grocery...

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City Keeping Two TIDS Open To Boost Affordable Housing Funds


The Sturgeon Bay Common Council agreed April 7 to make use of a provision in state law that will allow the city to extend the life of Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs) #2 and #3 by a year to generate additional funds in the city to support affordable housing.

By using the additional year’s increment collected in 2027 from the 2026 tax roll, 75% of the property-tax increments received would be used to benefit affordable housing, with the remaining 25% available to improve the city’s housing in general.

Affordable housing is defined by state statute as housing that costs no more than 30% of a household’s gross monthly income, such as the apartment units Spoerl Commercial plans to build in TID #6 along North 14th Avenue using low-income housing tax credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority...



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Leo's notes: Sturgeon Bay is leveraging a powerful but often underused state tool by extending two mature TIDs for an extra year to generate roughly $1.6 million for housing initiatives. The move will direct the majority of proceeds toward affordable housing, with remaining funds supporting broader housing improvements citywide. Smart municipal TID extensions allow communities to recycle past economic development success into future housing production without creating new taxes. As more Wisconsin communities confront housing shortages, I hope this strategy becomes an increasingly common part of the local housing toolbox.

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Wisconsin`s 2026 governor candidates on the cost of housing


Democratic and Republican candidates in the 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin discuss what policies they would pursue to help address the high cost and limited supply of housing around the state.

Anyone who has thought about buying or selling a house recently knows prices are up, interest rates are up, and more people seem to be locked out of owning a home.

A 2024 study by the Wisconsin Policy Forum showed over a five-year stretch, home prices went up 53% while incomes rose by less than 20%. State government can’t lower the price of materials or labor, but it can create an environment making it easier to build new homes. Here & Now asked 2026 candidates for governor how they plan to address the affordable housing crisis in Wisconsin...

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Leo's notes: From a housing perspective, the takeaway is less about differences and more about convergence: there is broad agreement that supply constraints—driven by regulation, cost, and underproduction—are at the core of the problem. The real test ahead will be execution: aligning state policy, local control, and funding mechanisms into a coordinated strategy that can meaningfully increase housing production across diverse Wisconsin markets.

Ken Notes: DO NOT allow the candidates to point fingers or cast blame on others. We need to work together on real solutions for very real problems. Ask the simple question, "Where does your Barista live?", why ask that, because if they do not have an answer they should be making their own damn coffee.

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Cambridge village board rezoning land east of Kwik Trip for potential housing


The Cambridge village board voted to rezone land at the end of Westgate Court beside the new Kwik Trip for potential future high density housing.

The official change was to neighborhood mixed use, which would allow for a variety of housing types and densities, depending on specific project proposals and what the Cambridge plan commission and village board will allow in the future.

Village President Paula Hollenbeck clarified at the April 28 village board meeting that this approval did not guarantee a certain type of housing would be on the property. Any development proposal would be considered by the plan commission and village board for approval.

While the applicant, Mike Herl, planned to sell the land to a developer, he proposed a concept in the village board packet that indicated potential options for the land. That concept recommended extending the current Westgate Court road to three lots with a three-story mixed use building to the north, three three-story multi-family buildings in the center, and 15 two-story duplexes to the south. That would total about 135 to 155 units on the land...


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Leo's notes: Cambridge is taking an important early step toward higher-density housing by rezoning land near Westgate Court to “neighborhood mixed use,” opening the door for a potential 135–155 unit development. While no specific project is approved, the move signals a shift toward allowing duplexes, multifamily buildings, and mixed-use structures in a land-constrained community. For small and mid-sized communities, decisions like this are increasingly unavoidable—without zoning flexibility, housing supply stalls; with it, communities must actively plan for infrastructure, services, and growth management.

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Survey to assess Milwaukee housing conditions kicks off


MILWAUKEE — A program aimed at identifying the overall condition of Milwaukee’s housing stock is making a push to get more data.


What You Need To Know

  • RON is conducting its annual housing survey

  • The hope is to assess 40,000 properties

  • Surveyors plan to assess housing in 20 different Milwaukee neighborhoods

The community organization Reclaiming Our Neighborhoods, or RON, officially kicked off its annual housing survey last week.

Between now and early summer, surveyors will head out to 20 different Milwaukee neighborhoods concentrated on the north and south sides. The goal is to assess the condition of around 40,000 homes, getting information about the exterior physical condition of the house...



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Green Bay approves $1.3M to construct Fire Station Flats, clean up site


The City of Green Bay could channel up to $1.3 million to support the plan to build affordable housing and a new Green Bay Metro Fire headquarters on South Broadway.

The city's Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday, April 14 approved two loans and authorized a request to apply for a state grant that could end up directing $1.3 million to General Capital Group's 85-unit Fire Station Flats development. The majority of the funding would cover the developers' costs to address the remaining site contamination on the former Badger Sheet Metal factory in the 400 block of South Broadway.

But some of the funds would help close an estimated $1.4 million budget gap in the $31.1 million development budget...


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Leo's notes: Green Bay is activating a full stack of public finance tools — brownfield revolving loans, city affordable housing funds, and a WEDC grant — to unlock 85 units of affordable housing on a long-blighted industrial site alongside a new fire headquarters.This is a strong example of brownfield redevelopment as a housing strategy. As buildable land becomes scarce and costly, projects that combine environmental remediation, public infrastructure, and housing—supported by layered financing—are increasingly essential to unlocking new supply in urban cores...

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Wisconsin Workforce Housing Resources


ENABLING BETTER PLACES: A USER’S GUIDE TO WISCONSIN NEIGHBORHOOD AFFORDABILITY

Wisconsin REALTORS® Association

WISCAP Affordable Housing Network

Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources


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...

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Inside Wisconsin: Economist: Mix of factors drive ‘attainable’ housing crunch


MADISON, Wis. — Providing more “affordable housing” is a popular campaign slogan these days in Wisconsin and across America, but it’s not as simple as proclaiming the goal and wishing it into reality. A mix of factors make it harder for people to find the shelter they want or need — but untangling those economic knots can make housing more “attainable.”

That was a core message Wednesday to the annual Wisconsin Economic Forecast Luncheon, where the chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders laid out an array of issues that are tugging in opposite directions on the “supply and demand” curve for housing of all types.

Robert Dietz, who has analyzed public- and private-sector economic trends over time, told a Madison crowd of several hundred people that a combination of issues has increased housing prices and crimped supply. Here are some:...


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Leo's notes: At a recent housing-focused event in Madison, economist Robert Dietz of the National Association of Home Builders outlined the complex forces driving housing affordability challenges—ranging from regulatory costs (now nearing 25% of a home’s price) and tariffs on materials to elevated interest rates, labor shortages, and demographic pressures. To me, the takeaway is clear: there is no single lever to fix affordability. Progress will depend on coordinated action across regulation, workforce development, financing, and production—because in today’s environment, housing costs are not driven by one issue, but by the cumulative weight of many.

Ken Notes: This is a must read, if a paywall prevents this open a private or incognito window and try again. remember to support you local media outlets.

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Milwaukee County s first affordable subdivision in Oak Creek


Oak Creek is paving the way for what leaders are calling the first affordable housing subdivision in Milwaukee County.

County Executive David Crowley and local leaders on Apr. 13 announced the county’s Department of Health and Human Services will lead development of the 50-homes to be constructed at 3810 E. American Ave., 9050 S. Annette Pl. and 8950 S. Chicago Court in Oak Creek. The city’s Common Council a week earlier unanimously approved a measure allowing the new construction to move forward.

Crowley worked with the U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, to secure $7 million in federal funds to help cover roads, sewer, power and landscaping costs. They plan to cover unit construction costs with federal HOME funds.

“This first-of-its-kind project, an affordable subdivision in a suburban community, represents the continuation of our work to make critical investments that provide families with expanded access to becoming homeowners, improving their lives, strengthening our neighborhoods, and fostering a healthier community for all,” Crowley said.

Baldwin and Crowley touted the project as part of an effort to address Wisconsin’s housing crisis.

Construction of the roughly 1,200-square-foot units for Garden Medley Estates is slated to start in 2027 and are set to be on the market for $225,000-$250,000. The homes are expected to be a mix of one-and-two-story units. Buyers will be required to make 80% or less of the Area Median Income, which is roughly $80,000 a year for a family of three, according to the county.

A request for proposals for infrastructure work is expected to come out in the summer of 2026.

Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz called the move “historic,” adding construction will create “on-the-job training to Oak Creek High School students who are exploring careers in the trades, create new homeowners and a greater sense of community.”...


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Leo's notes: Oak Creek is advancing a notable first: a county-led affordable housing subdivision with up to 50 single-family homes, signaling a shift in how suburban communities are approaching housing supply. This marks a meaningful evolution where suburbs embrace smaller-scale, ownership-focused affordability solutions. If successful, this model could help fill a critical gap — bringing starter homes back into markets that have largely priced them out.

Ken Notes: Two quick apologies, one, the Daily Reporter has a paywall at the link. Two, while an interesting project, this is also a bit of an earned media campaign for a gubernatorial candidate.

WWHNews is nonpartisan and believes housing is a nonpartisan issue. We would also like to see policy that allows for 1,200-square-foot units on the market for $225,000-$250,000 without substantial government intervention and believe by working with developers, communities, and manufacturers this can happen. It will require a paradigm shift, but it can be done.

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Homeownership is slipping out of reach in Dane County


With skyrocketing costs and a skilled labor shortage, new construction can’t keep pace with the city’s population boom, driving prices up and shutting prospective buyers out.

“We built our offers to go up as high as $100,000 over asking and got outbid on six consecutive homes.”

“I got rejected from multiple houses, until I decided to waive my inspection.”

“Our family couldn’t afford to live in Madison, so we bought a home in Rock County and commute to work.”

Experiences like these, unfortunately, aren’t unique. Bidding more than $100,000 over asking price, waiving a buyer’s inspection and settling for a commuter location are familiar trade-offs for prospective Madison homebuyers in the past five years...


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Leo's notes: Madison’s affordability crisis reflects the full complexity of today’s housing shortage: explosive population growth, lagging construction, labor shortages, rising land costs, and decades of restrictive zoning that’s pushed homeownership increasingly out of reach for middle-income households. Simply put, this illustrates a critical truth for communities statewide: housing affordability is no longer simply a pricing issue—it is a systems issue. Sustainable progress requires simultaneous action on land use, labor force, construction innovation and economics, and political willingness to prioritize future affordability over protecting scarcity-driven home values. All parties involved need to look for creative, leaner solutions that “pencil” for everyone.

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Sturgeon Bay Council Advances Grant Application, Reviews TID Updates


The Sturgeon Bay Common Council on Tuesday night took steps toward expanding recreational access and addressing housing and infrastructure needs, approving a resolution to pursue federal funding while reviewing proposed updates to several tax increment districts.

Council members approved a resolution authorizing the city to apply for funding through the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. The grant application, to be submitted through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), focuses on city-owned property at 600 Nautical Drive and would support future outdoor recreation improvements.


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Leo's notes: Sturgeon Bay is advancing a coordinated development strategy that links housing, infrastructure, and public investment, including proposed updates to multiple TIDs supporting more than 100 housing units and key infrastructure expansions. From a housing perspective, I believe that communities that align TIF, infrastructure investment, and land use planning in this way are far better positioned to deliver housing at scale; all while maintaining long-term fiscal sustainability.

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South Side Shake-Up: Ho-Chunk Nation Bets $16 Million On Culture And Housing Hub


The Ho-Chunk Nation is looking to turn its Milwaukee branch site into something much bigger, stacking housing, cultural space and community services into a single three-story, $16 million complex on the city’s south side.

The project would replace the tribe’s current one-story Milwaukee branch office and community space with a mixed-use building designed to keep cultural programming and housing under the same roof. Tribal leaders say the new space is meant to serve both Ho-Chunk members and qualifying members of the general public.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the plan calls for a three-story building at 3501 S. Howell Ave on a half-acre site, with roughly $16 million in development costs. About 40 one- and two-bedroom apartments would occupy the upper floors, while the ground floor would feature a library highlighting Indigenous authors and a demonstration kitchen. The tribe hopes to open the building in late 2027, with apartments available to Ho-Chunk tribal members along with qualifying members of the general public...

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Leo's notes: The project—now in WHEDA's tax credit pipeline—reflects a growing model where housing is integrated with culturally specific programming and community services. From a housing perspective, this is an important evolution/ solution: housing is being designed not just as shelter, but as a platform for community identity, stability, and cultural continuity. Projects like this also highlight a broader reality—without tools like LIHTC and layered financing, even innovative, mission-driven developments still hinge on closing complex funding gaps. Definitely a development worth following!

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Senator Baldwin visits Hayward housing development


US. Sen. Tammy Baldwin visited Trailview Cottages on Hwy. 77 in Hayward on March 30 to tour the workforce housing development and meet with local and regional partners involved in the project.

The visit highlighted ongoing efforts to expand access to affordable housing in northwestern Wisconsin and support workforce development across the region.

Baldwin highlighted federal support for the project during her visit.

“Wherever I travel in Wisconsin, the challenge to find affordable housing and a good paying job go hand in hand,” she said. “Investing in affordable housing and workforce training is a win-win for Wisconsin families and businesses. That’s why I was proud to deliver $4 million to help make the project I visited in Hayward a reality.”..

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Leo's notes: Trailview Cottages pairs 40 workforce housing units with training access through Northwood Technical College, reinforcing the growing recognition that housing shortages are constraining labor force participation as much as job availability. From a housing perspective, this is the kind of integrated rural development model worth replicating: housing, workforce training, and economic development are interconnected rather than treated as separate policy silos. For many of our rural communities facing both labor shortages and population stagnation, this alignment may prove essential to long-term competitiveness.

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Is Wisconsin projected to need 200,000 more homes to meet demand by 2030?


Yes.

A 2023 report found Wisconsin needs around 200,000 new housing units to meet demand by 2030.

Forward Analytics, the nonpartisan research arm of the Wisconsin Counties Association, said in the 2023 report that Wisconsin needs between 140,000 and 227,000 new housing units.

Those differing estimates are based on population changes, migration to Wisconsin and other trends, such as whether young adults choose to live with parents. Forward Analytics concluded the total need is “200,000 or more” units.

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Realtors Association and Wisconsin Builders Association cite that 200,000 estimate as part of their joint effort to address the shortage...


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Leo's notes: Simply put, YES. Research from Forward Analytics and partners highlights a wide range (140,000–227,000 units), reinforcing that regardless of methodology, the gap is substantial and growing. This is not a marginal shortage—it’s a structural deficit. Closing a gap of this scale will require sustained, multi-year increases in production across all housing types, alongside policies that ensure affordability for the lowest-income households who face the most acute shortages.

Ken Notes: The links in the article work...

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New Green Bay neighborhood includes destination parks, homes, apartments


Developers and the City of Green Bay in 2026 will build new missing-middle housing and destination parks on an east side site donated by JBS.

There is a video at the link with more details. Very interesting project!


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Leo's notes: Green Bay’s latest neighborhood concept reflects a shift toward master-planned, mixed-product neighborhoods that integrate recreation, walkability, and housing choice rather than separating them.It’s encouraging to see an evolution of communities moving beyond unit counts alone and focusing on livability as a driver of long-term value and demand. If replicated, this model can help attract residents while still delivering the range of housing types needed to address supply gaps. A model worth following!

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Stalled Milwaukee Timber Tower Could Rise Again — as Workforce Housing


Developer exploring new partnership options as city weighs foreclosure on the stalled 31-story Edison site

Milwaukee’s stalled plyscraper, once billed to be the world’s tallest timber building, could be revived as workforce housing after its developer, Madison-based Neutral, ran out of capital and halted construction last September. That is according to remarks made by Lafayette Crump, Milwaukee’s Development Commissioner, who yesterday told the city’s Zoning, Neighbourhoods and Development Committee that Neutral executives “are exploring everything possible” and have been in discussions with new partners.

Wood Central understands that the pivot would fundamentally reposition the project originally conceived as a record-breaking luxury tower on the banks of the Milwaukee River, targeting households earning up to 100 per cent of the Milwaukee area’s median income rather than the premium renters the original scheme was designed to attract. “We’d certainly love to see something move forward,” Crump told the committee, though Neutral’s CEO Nate Helbach and chief product officer Daniel Glaessl did not respond to media requests...

...It comes after Fond du Lac-based general contractor C.D. Smith Construction filed a foreclosure suit in March against Neutral affiliates The Edison SPE and The Edison Project, claiming $11.3 million in unpaid bills before interest, fees, and court costs, characterising the project as effectively abandoned after Neutral “ran out of capital” following cost overruns and terminated loan agreements...




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Leo's notes: Today’s financial realities are reshaping what gets built — and for whom. Milwaukee’s stalled “Edison” timber tower may find new life as workforce housing, marking a dramatic pivot from a luxury, record-setting project to one aimed at households earning up to 100% of area median income. The shift comes after cost overruns, financing gaps, and halted construction forced the developer to rethink the project’s viability. As capital tightens, projects that can align with workforce housing demand, public incentives, and achievable rents are far more likely to move forward than purely luxury concepts, even in high-profile developments. This is one high profile development we’ll continue to monitor closely!

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Affordable housing advocates tour new homes for low-income families in Milwaukee


Hundreds of advocates toured six brand new homes, some built for families with early childhood educators, Friday


Milwaukee's Community Development Alliance (CDA) showcased two single-family homes built for low-income families as part of its annual effort to highlight affordable housing initiatives in the city.

The CDA has organized these tours every year for the last three years to show partners, elected officials, Milwaukee residents and affordable housing advocates the kind of affordable, entry-level homes being constructed in the city. The organization also helped craft Milwaukee's Collective Affordable Housing Strategic Plan in 2021.

The plan aims to advance racial equity in home ownership by providing "a quality affordable home for every Milwaukeean", according to the CDA. It includes converting higher-rent homes and creating new rental properties for up to 32,000 families earning less than $50,000 annually...


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Leo's notes: Milwaukee’s Community Development Alliance’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to advance equitable homeownership, particularly for Black and Latino households, alongside rental preservation and affordability initiatives. This reinforces a critical point: production alone isn’t enough—access and stability matter just as much. CDA’s model shows that pairing new construction with homeowner support systems can begin to reverse long-standing inequities in homeownership and create more durable pathways to generational wealth.

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FHLBank Chicago Opens 2026 Affordable Housing Program with $51 Million Available


Applications Due June 12 with Up to $2 Million Available Per Project

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) has opened the application period for its 2026 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund. With $51 million available and up to $2 million per project, the program supports the development and preservation of affordable housing across Illinois and Wisconsin.

AHP grants help fund the acquisition, new construction, or rehabilitation of rental and owner-occupied housing. Through the program, FHLBank Chicago financial institution members partner with developers and community organizations to help move projects forward and expand access to quality housing.

“The need for affordable housing continues to outpace supply in many communities,” said Katie Naftzger, SVP and Community Investment Officer, FHLBank Chicago. “Through AHP, we’re able to partner with our members to move critical projects forward, supporting housing that might not otherwise be built and helping expand access for individuals and families.”...


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Officials Break Ground on Deer District Apartments


Fieldhouse Flats is poised to transform a vacant city block across the street from Fiserv Forum.

The $117 million development, which broke ground Thursday, will bring 269 units of workforce housing and an athletic facility for students at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) to a parcel bound by W. McKinley Avenue, W. Juneau Avenue, N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and N. Vel R. Phillips Avenue...



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Leo's notes: The project’s layered capital stack—including LIHTC equity, bonds, TIF, and institutional partnerships—shows how complex financing has become even for well-located workforce housing developments. Glad to see examples of housing development integrated into broader placemaking and economic development strategies.

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Northwestern Mutual Advances Affordable Housing in Milwaukee's Amani Neighborhood by Pledging More Than $3 Million


More than 90 affordable homes will be built as a result of the funding, which supports a citywide collaborative effort to increase homeownership and revitalization in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE, April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual, a leading financial services company, is committing more than $3 million over the next three years to support the construction of more than 90 homes in the Amani neighborhood in the city of Milwaukee. This is an additional step towards reaching the company's goal of completing 500 affordable homes in Milwaukee by 2030, in collaboration with local non-profit partners.  

"Northwestern Mutual has called Milwaukee home for 168 years, and ensuring our city thrives remains at the core of our mission," said Steve Radke, president, Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "Our increased support for Amani—where we're helping fund the construction of more than 90 affordable homes—builds on longstanding partnerships in this neighborhood. By also investing in Metcalfe Park and Muskego Way, we're strengthening Milwaukee's neighborhoods and driving revitalization and expanded homeownership across the city."...


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Leo's notes: Northwestern Mutual is doubling down on neighborhood-scale housing investment in Milwaukee, with an effort that leverages partnerships with local nonprofits, developers, and city-backed TIF tools to expand homeownership in historically underserved areas. This highlights an increasingly important trend: corporate capital is stepping in as a catalytic partner in community-based housing delivery. When aligned with local organizations and public financing tools, these investments can do more than add units — they can help rebuild ownership pathways and stabilize neighborhoods at scale.

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In Focus: Af­fordable housing


On this week’s “In Focus,” NY1’s Cheryl Wills discusses the housing crisis and rental rip-off hearings with Councilmember Pierina Ana Sanchez.

Plus, Fund for the City of New York’s Dr. Lisette Nieves and Dr. Aldrin Bonilla highlight their upcoming “True Cost of Living” report. And Asian Americans for Equality’s Thomas Yu shares how the organization has created more affordable housing units for the community.


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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.

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.

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



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List of Housing Resources



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

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