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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

Progress is being made, but Door County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Michelle Lawrie wants residents to see more housing options in the future.

The DCEDC plans to conduct a second housing study in the coming months, seven years after completing its first in 2019.

The study will assess current housing inventory and development activity, examine factors influencing supply and demand — including employer needs, pricing levels and short-term rentals — and project demand for workforce, affordable, seasonal workforce, senior and market-rate housing in the coming years.

The 2019 study showed Door County was short hundreds of housing units, particularly those considered affordable or workforce housing...

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Leo`s notes: The fact that DCEDC is reopening this conversation seven years later shows that housing strategy must evolve alongside economic conditions.The county ought to use this study not just as a report but as a policy catalyst — zoning reform, land banking, public-private partnerships, and seasonal workforce housing models — in order to meaningfully reshape the region’s trajectory.

Ken Notes: Door County has both a housing and an employee problem, mix this with the NIMBY attitude of most regarding affordable (and don`t even mention subsidized) housing and you have the state`s housing crisis magnified tenfold. Not only do residents not want their baristas living among them they want their baristas flown in for the day and then exported home to Europe every night. Also note Door has a lot of baristas, service workers, retailers, and so many others that are necessary to staff the tourism destination the County is famous for

The county could be a model for workforce housing nationwide. Imagine housing villages that are modeled after European communities -- attractive, dense, with great amenities, affordable, and functional. These could be a part of the attraction not a part of the problem.

The City of Manitowoc is getting ready for building on the former Mirro Property.

Community Development Director Adam Tegan told the Community Development Authority (CDA) that the new Maritime Lofts would have 59 apartments, including 21 one-bedroom apartments, 20 two-bedroom apartments, and 18 three-bedroom apartments.

On-site amenities would also include a community room, a fitness center, an onsite leasing office, and on-site residential storage.

Tegan said that this would also be a workforce housing project.

“It has obtained low-income tax credits through the state already,” he explained. “And they are working on assembling all their other pieces of the capital stack, which I believe includes some money from the Department of Administration, potentially federal home funds.”...

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Leo`s notes: Manitowoc’s Maritime Lofts project is another example of how former industrial land can become the foundation for workforce housing. This broader and complex project pairs brownfield redevelopment with layered public financing to create housing for working families. If construction begins later this year as planned, Maritime Lofts will mark a visible step forward in turning underutilized land into long-term community stability.

Residents and city leaders came together at the Community Development Alliance, 3800 W. Lisbon Ave., on Wednesday, Feb. 18 to unveil a mural celebrating more than 3,000 new homeowners since 2023.

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Leo`s notes: Milwaukee’s milestone of 3,000 new homeowners since 2023 highlights the impact of a coordinated, equity-focused housing strategy. By pairing targeted programs with community partnerships, the city is advancing Black and Latino homeownership while preserving affordability for working families. Sustaining 1,000 new homeowners annually signals housing as both wealth-building and workforce strategy—a model to watch.

Ken Notes: Thumbs up MKE. Wisconsin need 150,000 to 250,000 new housing units over the next decade. We must get creative and work together as a state to get this done. Leo and I would be happy to come and lead a discussion on creative solutions.

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Leo’s notes: By focusing on “missing middle” homes that teachers, nurses, first responders, and young families can actually afford, the city is addressing the quiet crisis facing many rural communities: without attainable housing, employers can’t recruit, families can’t stay, and towns slowly hollow out. While the financing will require creativity and public-private partnership, the payoff is bigger than rooftops—it’s about sustaining Peshtigo’s workforce, strengthening its tax base, and ensuring the city remains a place where the next generation can live, work, and belong.

For companies considering expansion or relocation, smaller metros — often called secondary cities — are increasingly landing on the shortlist.

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Leo`s notes: READ THIS! As corporate expansion shifts toward secondary metros like Madison, Boise, and Greenville, housing affordability is emerging as a decisive competitive factor. Even within our state, smaller Wisconsin communities will attack companies not just just based on tax climate and infrastructure, but whether employees can afford to live near work...

Indiana-based Annex Group outlined early plans for 236 rental units at 9251 N. 70th St.

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Leo`s notes: A proposed 236-unit affordable development near the former Northridge Mall highlights Milwaukee’s ongoing tension between housing supply needs and neighborhood concerns. As the city confronts a documented housing shortage, debates over rental saturation versus homeownership underscore the complexity of workforce housing expansion. Aligning community trust with production goals remains critical and this proposal is one of many examples of development misalignment throughout our state.

Ken Notes: We continue policy that favors development of rental property. For example in Milwaukee it is easy for an "investor" to purchase blighted properties make minimal investments and then rent the properties with immediate cash flow and a positive ROI -- with tax credits thrown in for good measure. We have a problem because WE created one. Credits and incentives for owner occupancy seems to make more sense than what we are doing now.

St. John’s Lutheran Church has sat on a downtown corner of Madison, Wisconsin — just three blocks from the state Capitol — for nearly 170 years.

But its leaders are now working to demolish it.

“St. John’s has always been a place focused on refuge, serving the poor, and meeting people where they are,” the church’s pastor, Rev. Peter Beeson, said in a fundraising video.

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Leo’s notes: By choosing to replace underused space with 110 affordable homes, the congregation is responding directly to today’s most urgent need: safe, stable housing for working families and neighbors priced out of their own communities. As housing costs continue to outpace wages, projects like this show how mission-driven institutions can unlock land, align values with action, and help turn compassion into concrete solutions.

AK Development and Milwaukee Development Corporation will provide training.

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Leo’s notes: As projects grow more complex and financing more layered, investing in developer capacity is emerging as a critical strategy to sustain workforce housing production. Building talent behind the pipeline is building supply — a model to watch.

Ken Notes: I wish we would evaluate these grant funded programs against measurable deliverables. We need a set goal with actual numbers assigned to communities or regions for affordable homes - (with a clear definition like a sub $200,000 sale price). We need quality affordable homes for our service and retail workers making $15 to $25 per hour.

KENOSHA, Wis. — February in Wisconsin is anything but hot, except when you are talking about the housing market.

According to data from Realtor.com, several Wisconsin cities rank among the top 20 hottest housing markets in the country, including Wausau, Appleton, Milwaukee, Janesville and Oshkosh.

Kenosha takes the top spot, ranked as Realtor.com’s Hottest Metro in the United States.
What You Need To Know

• According to data from Realtor.com, several Wisconsin cities rank among the top 20 hottest housing markets in the country
  
  
• Kenosha takes the top spot, ranked as Realtor.com’s Hottest Metro in the United States
  
  
• The list is filled with midwestern cities, where demand for housing remains high, but the overall number of new builds is low compared to other regions of the country
  
  
• In Kenosha County, population growth is stagnant (hovering around 170,000 residents since 2010)

The hotness metric looks at market demand as well as how quickly homes sell. The list is filled with Midwestern cities where demand for housing remains high, but the overall number of new builds is low compared to other regions of the country...   ...Full Story Here

Leo`s notes: The message is clear: demand is strong, but supply isn’t keeping up. Without accelerating housing production across price points—especially workforce and attainable homes—Wisconsin risks constraining the very growth these “hot” rankings reflect.

Madison, WI — Senator Jeff Smith (D–Brunswick) and Representative Jodi Emerson (D–Eau Claire) introduced comprehensive legislation to strengthen protections for residents of manufactured home communities and preserve one of Wisconsin’s last remaining sources of truly affordable housing.

“For many residents, especially seniors and retirees on fixed incomes, manufactured home communities are their only affordable housing option,” said Senator Smith. “Without protections, these individuals are forced to choose between unaffordable rent hikes or losing their homes entirely.”

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Leo’s notes: Manufactured home communities are one of Wisconsin’s last truly affordable housing options, especially for seniors and residents on fixed incomes—and new legislation aims to protect them before it’s too late. The proposal would curb predatory practices by large investors, limit excessive rent hikes, strengthen oversight, and give residents a real chance to purchase their communities when they come up for sale. This bill recognizes a hard truth: preserving affordability isn’t just about building new housing, it’s about protecting the housing we already have and the people who depend on it.

Ken Notes: I see an uphill battle here. I wish that communities could do more to control the new ownership of these facilities. The properties are being sold as cash cows to investors and looking at the numbers they are...

NEENAH (WLUK) -- Neenah is pursuing a 50-unit workforce housing development, located at 1311 S. Commercial Street and spanning two acres.

It would also include 2,100 square feet of commercial space.

A plan is in place with the Madison-based Eminent Development Corporation, but the deal isn`t done yet. It hinges on the development company`s ability to get state tax credits, which will be awarded in May.

Details on the proposal:

• Plan calls for 32 apartment units, 16 stacked flats and four townhomes
• Construction would begin in spring 2027 with completion in summer 2028, if all goes to plan
• $18 million project, all privately financed with the help of state tax credits
• Part of Neenah`s South Commercial Street plan...

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Leo`s notes: As communities across Wisconsin compete for state tax credits to make these projects viable, Neenah’s approach underscores an important lesson: strategic public land use, corridor planning, and workforce-focused housing are critical tools for sustaining economic growth and keeping local workers rooted in the communities they serve. Looking forward to tracking this multi-faceted development!

Funding Secured by Sen. Tammy Baldwin to Support Affordable Housing Efforts Across Northwest Wisconsin.

The funding is part of a broader package supporting priority community projects across Northern Wisconsin and reflects a significant federal investment in addressing housing affordability, workforce stability, and community resilience in rural areas.

“This is an incredibly meaningful moment for our organization and the communities we serve,” said Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director of Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity. “I’m deeply grateful to see this come to fruition. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we stay committed to the mission and work together to strengthen housing stability and opportunity across our region.”

According to Senator Baldwin’s office, the government funding bill directs resources to locally driven initiatives that address pressing community needs, including affordable housing, infrastructure, and economic development. For Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity, the $500,000 investment will help support a comprehensive, region-wide approach to increasing access to safe, affordable housing through new construction, preservation of existing homes, homelessness prevention efforts, and community-based skills and workforce programming...

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Leo`s notes: A $500,000 federal Community Project Funding award will bolster Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to expand and preserve affordable housing across Northwest Wisconsin. In rural regions facing aging housing stock and workforce shortages, targeted federal investment reinforces that housing stability is foundational to economic resilience.

MADISON, Wis. — Dane County Executive Melissa Agard announced on Tuesday that $1 million in grant funds are set to be released to accelerate housing development and help address the county`s housing crisis.

Officials say interested municipalities can use the funds to update their zoning codes, internal procedures, and permitting processes.

The Dane County Department of Human Services` Housing Access and Affordability will administer the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant funds, or CDBG PRO Housing for short. These funds are intended to be informed by the Best Practices Model Zoning Code Guide, which the Dane County Planning and Development Department releases.

“Regulatory barriers can drive up housing costs and restrict the supply of homes and the range of housing options available.” County Executive Agard went on to say, “Through the CDBG PRO Housing grant program, our participating municipalities will have a chance to review their local zoning, permitting, and internal procedures—and make important reforms to remove barriers and support more housing.”...

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Leo`s notes: Dane County’s release of $1 million in CDBG PRO Housing funds targets one of the most persistent barriers to workforce housing: local regulation. By helping municipalities modernize zoning and permitting processes, the county is focusing on structural reforms that unlock long-term supply. Removing barriers is as critical as financing construction—a model worth piloting throughout our state.

KENOSHA, Wis. — February in Wisconsin is anything but hot, except when you are talking about the housing market.

According to data from Realtor.com, several Wisconsin cities rank among the top 20 hottest housing markets in the country, including Wausau, Appleton, Milwaukee, Janesville and Oshkosh.

Kenosha takes the top spot, ranked as Realtor.com’s Hottest Metro in the United States.

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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...

PROPOSALS DUE: All Proposals must be received at DOA no later than 2:00 pm, CT on Friday, April 17, 2026

The State of Wisconsin, on behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), is seeking proposals to design and construct student housing within the UW-Madison campus boundary. Two potential state-owned sites are to be explored to maximize student housing and achieve a goal of 1,500-2,000 beds. An acceptable alternative approach would be to propose privately-owned sites within the campus boundary to meet the student housing goals state previously. Proposers should offer terms to lease as well as an option to purchase the facility(ies). To submit a Proposal, please follow the instructions provided in the link below.

View RFP

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New county program focuses on rehabilitation, preservation

Dane County will award $3,926,399 in funding through a unique new program focused on preserving existing units of affordable housing across Dane County, Dane County Executive Melissa Agard announced in a news release.

It’s the fund’s first-ever round of awards, anticipated to preserve and/or rehabilitate 65 units of housing in the communities of Fitchburg, Stoughton, and Madison, and create four new units of affordable housing in the Village of Waunakee.

“Preserving the affordable housing we already have is one of the smartest and most cost-effective ways to address our housing crisis,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “These investments will keep dozens of families and individuals stably housed, protect long-term affordability in communities across Dane County, and ensure that existing homes remain safe, livable, and within reach for people at a range of incomes. This first round of awards reflects our commitment to using every tool available to meet urgent housing needs while building a stronger, more equitable county.”...

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Leo`s notes: Dane County’s first round of Preservation Fund awards marks an important shift in housing strategy: protecting the affordable homes currently there. By investing nearly $4 million to rehabilitate 65 existing units and add new ones in Fitchburg, Stoughton, Madison and Waunakee, the county is recognizing that preservation is often faster and more cost-effective than new construction. In a tight housing market, safeguarding existing units is not just prudent policy, but also essential to maintaining long-term community stability and housing choices.

Baldwin Secures Over $32 Million in Direct Support for 26 Projects in Southeast Wisconsin in Government Funding Bill

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Leo’s notes: The investments highlighted here go beyond bricks and mortar, pairing housing with job training, health care, and community services that help families put down roots. For communities grappling with rising costs and tight supply, this approach reflects a pragmatic path forward—one that treats workforce housing not as a niche program, but as essential economic infrastructure.

JEFFERSON, Wis. — Leaders in Jefferson County are celebrating what they call a major investment in affordable housing after Wisconsin`s Housing and Economic Development Authority awarded $65,000 in foundation grants to Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin.

The two grants will fund critical safety and accessibility improvements to existing affordable housing units, including paying for a new sprinkler system at the Orchard Hollow Apartments in Jefferson and support the rebuilding of a flood-damaged unit in Dane County that serves people with disabilities.

Brad Paul, director of mission at Goodwill South Central Wisconsin, emphasized the broader impact of the funding beyond the physical improvements...

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Leo`s notes: While the funding won’t add new units, it preserves critical affordable housing and protects vulnerable residents. The investment underscores that maintaining safe, dignified homes is as essential as building new ones.

`Essential costs are increasing way faster than median household income and way faster than inflation overall,` says researcher

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Leo`s notes: A new Forward Analytics report confirms what many households already feel: while wages have kept pace with inflation, essential costs—especially housing—have far outstripped income growth. With rents up 136% and homeownership costs up 115% since 2000, housing remains a primary pressure point in family budgets. Addressing workforce housing supply is central to restoring real affordability.

MANITOWOC – The city’s downtown likely will have a new look soon, as work on a 59-unit apartment complex on the former Mirro site is expected to begin in mid-summer.

The city’s Community Development Authority recently approved a site plan for Maritime Lofts, which will consist of 21 one-bedroom apartments, 20 two-bed apartments and 18 three-bedroom apartments at the form Mirro site on Washington Street...

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Leo`s notes: The development reflects a layered financing approach, combining tax credits, public partnership and environmental remediation. This project exemplifies how underutilized industrial land can be repositioned to support downtown revitalization and long-term housing supply.

The City of Madison celebrates two new affordable homes in the Owl Creek neighborhood, aimed at expanding affordable housing options for first-time homeowners.

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Leo`s notes: Madison’s celebration of two new permanently affordable twin homes in Owl Creek underscores the growing role of “missing middle” housing in closing the ownership gap. By combining modest-scale duplex design with a 99-year ground lease that caps resale appreciation, Madison is preserving affordability for future generations while allowing first-time buyers to build equity. At a time when homeownership feels increasingly out of reach for working families, this model demonstrates how land policy, zoning reform and targeted subsidy can work together to create lasting, community-centered housing solutions.

Preservation effort extends long term affordability and delivers critical upgrades for residents

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Leo`s notes: CPP’s $38 million acquisition and rehabilitation of Highland Park Apartments underscores the importance of preserving existing affordable housing. With occupancy above 98% and deep Section 8 affordability, the project protects 150 workforce homes while upgrading long-term quality and efficiency. In today’s market, preservation IS production...

Seventeen apartment projects in southeast Wisconsin totaling 1,205 affordable apartment units are one step closer to receiving crucial affordable housing tax credits after receiving preliminary approvals. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) granted preliminary conceptual approval to 53 housing projects statewide, which allows developers to pursue federal and state affordable housing tax credits that...   ...Full Story Here

Leo`s notes: Across our state, developers that pursue and receive federal and state tax credits often make the difference between a project moving forward or stalling. Although not the only solution, WHEDA’s pipeline signals both the scale of need and the importance of tax credit equity as the primary engine driving affordable housing production across the region.

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Leo’s notes: By expanding TIF district assistance beyond deeply affordable housing to include workforce units, the city is signaling a pragmatic shift: growing Milwaukee means not only building more housing, but building the right kinds of homes in the right places to keep the city livable, inclusive, and economically resilient.

WASHINGTON — Republicans, Democrats and the White House are methodically, calmly inching toward a common goal: agreeing on a thick package of laws that would do something quickly about slowing housing costs and boosting supply.

There’s no talk of gridlock here. No partisan sniping. Just an under the radar effort to show constituents in an election year that their lawmakers realize there’s a big problem when it comes to buying homes.

That’s why the House earlier this month passed its version of housing reform with only nine dissenting votes. The Senate committee writing similar legislation approved it unanimously last year.

While there are still some obstacles ahead before anything reaches President Donald Trump’s desk, what’s happening is almost a throwback to the days when getting 80% of one’s plan was a big victory, a policy prize to tout back home as midterm elections near...

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Leo`s notes: Rare bipartisan alignment in Washington is advancing a sweeping housing package aimed at boosting supply and easing regulatory barriers. With provisions supporting manufactured housing, local production incentives, and streamlined financing, the effort signals broad recognition that housing affordability is an economic imperative. Federal action on supply-side reform is gaining traction—we’lll continue to monitor its progress closely...

The Brief:

• A Middleton architect is converting a vacant Lodi school into 50 senior living units and 62 additional housing units
  
  
• The former school has been empty since 2017 due to structural issues and hazardous materials
  
  
• The project addresses a critical housing shortage in southern Wisconsin, particularly for seniors

LODI, Wis. — A Middleton architect with a passion for small-town Wisconsin is breathing new life into a historic Lodi property that has sat vacant for nearly a decade.

Steve Shulfer, a partner at Sketchworks Architecture in Middleton, is transforming the former Lodi school into "Primary Terrace," a mixed-use development that will provide much-needed housing for the community. The project includes 50 units of independent senior living, 13 townhome condominiums, and 49 apartment units.

The school has been empty since 2017 due to structural issues and hazardous materials, leaving the historic property in desperate need of renovation. Shulfer`s connection to Lodi runs deep, spanning 25 years of recreational visits to the area...

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DeForest Community Development Authority Awarded $150,000 State Grant to Advance Redevelopment Project

DeForest, WI — The Community Development Authority (CDA) of the Village of DeForest has been awarded a $150,000 Site Assessment Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to support environmental assessment and site clearance activities for a redevelopment project in downtown DeForest.

The grant, awarded through WEDC’s Site Assessment Grant (SAG) Program, will fund environmental site investigations, demolition, asbestos abatement, and related assessment work at property located at the corner of Highway V and Main Street. These activities are a critical early step in preparing the site for construction of Yahara Crossing, a CDA-led mixed-use affordable housing development. 

Yahara Crossing is planned as a three-story, mixed-use development featuring 62 apartments and approximately 4,500 square feet of first-floor commercial space, along with underground parking, community space for residents, and rooftop solar infrastructure.    ...Full Story Here

Leo’s notes: Strategic investments like this—focused on reuse of underutilized land, mixed-use development, and long-term affordability—show how local leadership and state partnership can turn planning goals into real housing opportunities that strengthen both downtowns and communities.

For millions of people living with dementia, quality of life often takes a drastic turn downward. But it doesn`t have to be that way.

Agrace Hospice is planning a new village to be built in Madison, WI, that will house dementia patients in a "Main Street USA" setting.

"We`ll restore a sense of autonomy and spontaneity, and a return to the normal daily rhythms someone has before their dementia diagnosis," says Lynne Sexten, CEO of Agrace Hospice...   ...Full Story Here

Ken Notes: I love this project but my guess is that the down-stroke will price many of us out of the market. I hope we can use this model to bring affordable neighborhoods to many Wisconsin communities.

Leo`s notes: With integrated workforce housing for health care trainees, this innovative model connects long-term care, staffing pipelines, and residential design. As demographics shift, housing innovation must extend across the full continuum of need—a model to watch.

Sturgeon Bay’s Plan Commission approved a conditional use permit (CUP) request Feb. 18 for a proposed 60-unit affordable housing apartment on the city’s west side, though commissioners expressed concerns about how best to have motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic maneuver through that area. 

The Columbia Corners apartment project by Gorman and Company would be built on vacant property located at South Columbia Avenue and Green Bay Road (state Highway 42/57), which is zoned General Commercial (C-1) and requires a CUP for multi-family housing. 

The Common Council, which supports locating the three-story apartment at that location, previously committed $250,000 from the city’s affordable housing reserve funds to the project on Dec. 2, contingent on it securing Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) low-income housing tax credits...

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Leo`s notes: Sturgeon Bay’s approval of a 60-unit mixed-income development reflects continued momentum for workforce housing in smaller markets. As commissioners weigh traffic access and pedestrian safety alongside tax credit financing, the discussion underscores how infrastructure alignment is critical to successful infill projects. Coordinating site design with public investment remains essential to turning approvals into production.

Ken Notes: Two quick observations -- One, Gorman does great projects, Two, I still believe Door County could be the perfect place for a model workforce housing village for service and retail workers needed to staff the tourism engine that drives the Door County economy. In fact done well I believe this "village" could become a tourist attraction itself.

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...