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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

1) aligning existing housing supply and new construction with employer hiring needs

2) expediting construction of Workforce Housing

3) targeting market awareness of housing options and benefits

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Ken Notes: Leo and I are actually participating in this project. We were happy to see developers at the table and a good representation of stakeholders from a variety of public and private entities.

Wisconsin cannot shake its home affordability problems.

The latest report from the Wisconsin Realtors Association says there are more homes for sale across the state, but prices continue to rise.

“Housing affordability is a national problem, and while the Midwest fares better than the other regions of the country, we’re not immune to the challenge," Realtors CEO Tom Larson said in a statement.

The July 2025 report shows that total statewide listings improved 7.3% from July of last year. But prices also jumped 4.5% over the same 12 months.

The median price for a home in Wisconsin is now $322,500...   ...Full Story Here

SPOONER - Lack of housing, especially workforce, in Washburn County spurred a study to be conducted with the Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) to see where the most critical needs are.

People were able to take the survey online, and the results were presented to the community on Monday, Aug. 18, at the Spooner fire station.

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Leo’s notes: Washburn County’s new housing study confirms what many already know: the county faces a severe shortage of workforce rentals and modest starter homes. With only 11% of housing stock available for rent, the study recommends 300 new workforce units, along with senior and first-time buyer housing, to meet urgent needs. The challenge now is turning this blueprint into real, long-term solutions through partnerships, flexible zoning, and smart investment. Looking forward to following this community’s next steps.

Ken Notes: I have now done a few of these housing studies as a planner and always the need is homes for those making around $25/hour or 50K/year or around $ 1,250/month (30% of income) which is around a $200K for a home. Finding one of these is tricky and building one is even more complex. Communities zone and plat affordability out of the market. NIMBY homeowners want good coffee but refuse to live next to their barista.

MADISON (WKOW) -- Work started Wednesday on the Eastmorland Community Center and Housing Development on Madison`s east side.

The church on the property is coming down first.

Then the plan is to have 25 living units and a community center built.

The development aims to bring workforce housing to the neighborhood, as well as host groups including Madison schools, arts programs, and 4H clubs.

They hope to improve the heart of the Eastmorland area.

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Leo`s notes: The Eastmorland Community Center and Housing Development represents exactly the kind of smart, small-scale investment Madison needs: 25 workforce units tied directly to community amenities and youth programming. By blending housing with schools, arts, and 4H, this project strengthens neighborhood fabric while tackling affordability head-on. It’s a model worth replicating across Wisconsin—building homes and connections at the same time...

Ken Notes: We need to build communities not just housing. I would also like to see more diverse socioeconomic neighborhoods...

On July 31, the Wisconsin-based housing nonprofit Pillars received the largest property donation they had ever been given. It came in the name of Richard “Dick” Reetz, a landlord who died in June at the age of 97.

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Leo’s notes: In a powerful act of generosity, longtime Appleton landlord Richard “Dick” Reetz left his 20 rental units to Pillars, boosting the nonprofit’s housing portfolio by 26% and creating space for up to 40 more neighbors in need. Reetz, remembered for renting on “handshakes and goodwill,” chose legacy over profit, turning down developers to ensure his tenants stayed housed. His gift is a reminder that solving Wisconsin’s housing crisis requires both public investment and bold private leadership rooted in community care...

DOOR COUNTY (NBC 26) — The Door County Housing Partnership says these homes are helping local workers stay in the community both living and working here long-term.

The units, located in Sister Bay, are among the first in a new development aimed at addressing the workforce housing shortage across the county.

"To try and fix this [housing] crisis that we have here," Scott Bader, the Preside of the Door county housing partnership said.

These homes are designed to help keep workers in the area, living and working in the community long-term.

"They want childcare, they want whatever somebody that serves their food, someone at the grocery store, the hardware store. Those people need a place to live," Bader said...

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Leo`s notes: In a county where workers are often priced out by vacation rentals, Door County’s Housing Partnership is proving that modest, targeted investments can make a huge difference. With state grant support, the group is turning a $100,000 land purchase in Sister Bay into 10 permanently affordable homes. This project shows how local collaboration and ownership models can keep families rooted in the community and strengthen the local workforce.

A Madison church is working to tear down its old worship space so it can make way for affordable housing.

Leaders with St. John’s Lutheran Church had hoped to have broken ground by now, but financing challenges have delayed the endeavor.

Now the church hopes the $58 million project can be completed within two years, said the church’s pastor, the Rev. Peter Beeson...

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Leo`s notes: By combining a new sanctuary with deeply affordable housing, St. John’s is living its mission and modeling how faith communities can leverage land for the greater good. In a city where nearly half of renters are cost-burdened, this project (10 story development with 110/130 reserved for affordable housing) shows how creative partnerships and moral leadership can transform barriers into opportunities for community stability and dignity.

Ken Notes: Thumbs up. I do respect those who practice what they preach and in this case literally.

The 900-plus page “One Big Beautiful Bill” that was signed into law last month offers new opportunities for Wisconsin developers. Changes to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Opportunity Zones and Section 179 Expensing are among the tools that can help the local and regional real estate industry.

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Leo’s notes: The new “One Big Beautiful Bill” brings both opportunities and challenges for Wisconsin’s housing sector. A permanent 12% boost to Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and expanded Opportunity Zones could unlock more affordable and workforce housing statewide—particularly in smaller communities thanks to new rural investment funds. Yet, as a housing advocate, I’m concerned that rolling back clean energy incentives undermines long-term affordability and resilience; without tools to lower utility costs and improve efficiency, we risk building homes families can afford today but struggle to sustain tomorrow.

Ken Notes: Also the credits are designed for the developers not for the actual residents. I believe the solutions are not in credits, but rather in working together to create mixed income neighborhoods with housing for a variety on income levels. Another note, Baristas do not have lobbyists to advocate for affordable homes, yet developers do. The The National Association of Realtors spends more money lobbying and on campaigns than most other business groups.

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Leo’s notes: The Triangle redevelopment marks one of Madison’s most ambitious commitments to affordable housing in decades. By replacing outdated public housing with up to 1,200 modern, mixed-income units—and doing so without displacing current residents—the city is setting a precedent for equitable, community-driven development. Coupled with green design and strong resident engagement, this project demonstrates how long-term planning and public-private partnerships can deliver both affordability and neighborhood vitality.

ALGOMA (NBC 26) — In Algoma and across Kewaunee County, with fewer homes available, more neighbors are feeling the impact of the housing crisis.

Yvonne Bothe has owned Second Hand Rose in Algoma for the past 20 years.

"I have people stopping in all the time asking me if I know any places to rent," Yvonne Bothe said.

She says she hasn’t just heard about the housing shortage, she sees it every day.

"You don`t see too many `for rent` signs around, and if a house goes up for sale, I can guarantee you it`ll be sold in two days," Bothe said...

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Leo’s notes: Algoma’s Portside Lofts project is a timely step toward addressing Kewaunee County’s acute housing shortage, where homes sell in days and rental options are nearly nonexistent. By focusing on workforce housing and limiting short-term rentals, the city is signaling a commitment to long-term residents. Still, broader countywide strategies—like Project Homestead—will be critical to ensure these efforts scale to meet growing demand across the region.

Phoenix Residential, a 31-unit affordable housing development in the works on Milwaukee`s north side, would become the first of its kind in Wisconsin — a small-scale facility with crisis units and access to mental health and housing education services for residents.

Construction started at the 2436 North 50th Street historical building in June and is estimated to be completed by April. 

The development combines 21 permanent rooms funded by residential assistance vouchers and 10 crisis units for individuals who need housing quickly, James Mathy, housing administrator with the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, said during a walk-through on Aug. 20.

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EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - Local and state leaders gathered in Altoona to talk about a new model that looks to solve the affordable housing issue in the Chippewa Valley.

Representative Jodi Emerson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley were joined by members of the JONAH Housing Task Force and the Altoona city council. They met at Solis Circle for a roundtable discussion about the importance of creating more affordable housing units similar to Solis Circle.

The development used to be a nursing home until six years ago when it was renovated into a `Micro-apartment.`

Emerson is an advocate for affordable housing at the state level and said she is proud of the solution in Altoona.

"Any time I`ve got that opportunity to show off this development and talk about other places that are happening in the Chippewa Valley I`m always grateful to bring this in," said Emerson...

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Leo’s notes: The Solis Circle micro-apartment model in Altoona is a powerful example of how creative redevelopment can meet urgent housing needs. By converting a former nursing home into 24 affordable units at $400–600/month, the project demonstrates how existing buildings can be repurposed into dignified, attainable housing. With a waitlist already in place, this model is proof that Wisconsin needs more adaptive reuse projects like Solis Circle to expand affordability and stability across the state...

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...

MENASHA, Wis. (WBAY) - The Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is bringing together local leaders and lawmakers from both parties to address the housing crisis.

They’re doing this by building new homes. 18,000 homes need to be built in the next decade to keep up with the area’s growth.

In an initiative to address the housing crisis in communities like Northeast Wisconsin, habitat for humanity partners with business leaders and state legislators called the ‘leader build’.

“When we can bring all of us together in our collective resources and our collective knowledge and skills, we can really make a big impact,” said John Weyenberg, President & CEO of Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat For Humanity...

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Leo’s notes: Habitat for Humanity’s “Leader Build” in Menasha shows what’s possible when lawmakers and business leaders unite—tackling soaring housing costs with new tools to help families buy homes and strengthen the Fox Cities workforce.

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis (WRCO / WRCE) – NHS is bringing a new home to the community.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Southwest Wisconsin (NHS of SW WI) has been focused on its mission of affordable housing for over 40 years. Over those years, NHS of SW WI has locally built over 50 affordable homes for moderate income families in Richland County. NHS of SW WI is currently breaking ground on a new project to help address the current housing situation and continue the agency’s efforts to provide affordable, workforce housing.

The current project is a new home on an in-fill lot on Kinder Street in Richland Center. The lot has been vacant for over 10 years when the previous house was torn down. The city of Richland Center has long sighted the lack of housing as a major concern. Addressing that concern has been difficult with lack of available land for building new homes with access to city utilities. The project is a win-win for adding to the housing stock and tax rolls while in-filling an unused vacant lot.

The planning of this project started over a year ago with a proposal to the State of Wisconsin’s Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR) to re-establish NHS of SW WI standing as a designated Community Housing Development Organization or CHDO.    ...Full Story Here

Leo’s notes: The groundbreaking on Kinder Street is more than just a new home—it’s a statement about what community-rooted organizations can achieve when given the tools to act. By leveraging CHDO status and creative partnerships, NHS of SW WI is turning a long-vacant lot into workforce housing for a first-time homebuyer. At a time when affordability is slipping out of reach for many families, projects like this show how infill development and nonprofit leadership can keep housing within reach while strengthening the fabric of our small towns.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) - The city of Stevens Point issued a request for proposals Monday to develop a downtown lot along the Wisconsin River.

The former Edgewater Manor site south of Clark Street currently has no timeline. The city is just fielding proposals from developers to take on building at the site.

“It’s not a rush to get something done. What we want to do is we want to get something done that fits and that is a benefit to the city as a whole,” Mayor Mike Wiza said. “So, just rushing to put something up there for tax money is not how we operate.”

The site is not dedicated to specific income-level housing, but Mayor Wiza said he welcomes “affordable” housing.

There would be incentives for the developer to create residences in the area.

“This is an Opportunity Zone, so there’s tax credits if the project fits within the scope of that Opportunity Zone,” Wiza said.

He said that building and diversifying residences in downtown will bring more foot traffic and customers to area businesses.

“One of the things that I’ve been a big proponent of is having people live in the core of our city,” he said...

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Leo’s notes: Stevens Point’s decision to carefully solicit proposals for the Edgewater Manor riverfront site is the kind of deliberate, community-minded approach we need more of. By prioritizing housing—especially if it includes affordable and workforce units—over a rush for quick tax revenue, the city is signaling that long-term vibrancy matters more than short-term gain. Pairing residential growth with Opportunity Zone incentives could not only ease local housing pressures but also strengthen the economic heartbeat of downtown, ensuring businesses thrive alongside a more diverse and sustainable neighborhood.

A major affordable housing development is nearing completion in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood.

Known as The Corliss, the project by Kenosha-based Bear Development began opening its first buildings this month, and when fully complete next year, will be the largest privately developed affordable housing project in Wisconsin history.

Located on a former industrial site along East Becher Street, The Corliss will ultimately include eight, five-story buildings with 576 apartment units, two of which are fully dedicated to senior housing.

As of late July, the first two buildings are 80% pre-leased, with Bear expecting them to be fully leased by the time they open.

All of the development’s units are set aside for households making less than 80% of the area median income, with most units set aside for those making below the 60% threshold. During the approval process, city officials noted that Bay View has some of the fastest-rising housing costs in the city resulting in some families and seniors being priced out of the neighborhood, which the addition of The Corliss could help mitigate.

Though The Corliss has grown into a landmark development, Bear Development didn’t originally intend for the project to be record-setting, according to project manager Nick Orthmann.

“We always knew this site was perfect for housing, it was just a matter of how much and in what form,” Orthmann said.

When Bear first proposed redeveloping the site in 2020, the plan included preserving existing structures from the 19th and early 20th centuries, which would have yielded around 300 housing units. The site was previously home to Filer & Stowell, a manufacturer of sawmill equipment that operated there until the 1960s....   ...Full Story Here

Phoenix Residential, a 31-unit affordable housing development in the works on Milwaukee`s north side, would become the first of its kind in Wisconsin — a small-scale facility with crisis units and access to mental health and housing education services for residents.

Construction started at the 2436 North 50th Street historical building in June and is estimated to be completed by April. 

The development combines 21 permanent rooms funded by residential assistance vouchers and 10 crisis units for individuals who need housing quickly, James Mathy, housing administrator with the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, said during a walk-through on Aug. 20...

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Leo’s notes: Milwaukee’s Phoenix Residential is breaking new ground—not just by renovating a historic building on North 50th Street, but by reimagining what affordable housing can look like. With 21 permanent voucher-supported homes and 10 crisis units, the project pairs safe housing with mental health and housing stability services, offering a dignified alternative to large shelters. As an advocate for workforce and affordable housing, I see this as a model Wisconsin must replicate statewide: smaller, service-rich developments that address both the housing crisis and the human needs that accompany it.

The power tools and equipment company plans to invest $42 million in a new Menomonee Falls facility.

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Leo’s notes: Backed by WEDC tax credits, the project will create 300 new positions and deepen the company’s century-long roots in the state. Workforce growth like this is a reminder that job creation AND housing supply must advance together if Wisconsin is to fully capitalize on these economic gains.

Operation Fresh Start seeks $60K for affordable housing initiative in community

Dane County`s Community Development Block Grant Commission is poised to support a significant initiative aimed at enhancing affordable housing and workforce development for local youth. During a recent meeting, Operation Fresh Start (OFS) presented a funding request of $60,000 to facilitate the construction of two homes, which will be built by young people from low-income backgrounds as part of a paid training program.

The program not only provides essential construction skills but also aims to create permanent affordability for families in the community. Without the requested CDBG funds, families could face significantly higher mortgage costs, making homeownership less attainable. The deferred second mortgage proposed by OFS is designed to keep sale prices affordable, allowing participants to build wealth and stability for their futures.

OFS has a successful track record, with participants averaging 68% of the Area Median Income (AMI) over the past five years, many of whom would not qualify for traditional mortgages without this support. The funding will directly benefit two households, reinforcing the importance of affordable housing in fostering community resilience...   ...Full Story Here

Leo’s notes: Operation Fresh Start’s request to Dane County’s CDBG Commission shows how smart investments in housing can deliver a triple impact: affordable homes for families, workforce training for young people, and long-term community stability. By tying construction skills directly to the creation of permanently affordable homes, OFS is not only opening doors to homeownership but also equipping the next generation with tools for economic independence. This is exactly the kind of program that proves housing policy is workforce policy—and why continued investment is essential.

City of Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced her Executive Capital Budget proposal, aiming to identify and invest in projects that will meet long-term community needs.

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Leo`s notes: Madison’s newly unveiled 2026 Capital Budget makes a bold statement: affordable housing is infrastructure. By committing $17.5 million to the Affordable Housing Fund, advancing the 1,200-unit Triangle redevelopment, and pairing housing growth with investments in parks, libraries, and childcare training, the city is aligning fiscal discipline with community priorities. For housing advocates, this plan reinforces a critical truth—affordability, accessibility, and equity aren’t side projects, they’re foundational to a resilient city.

A proposed 40-unit “workforce housing” development, east of Route 21 near the Tri-State Tollway in Gurnee, will proceed to the village board for consideration.

The village`s planning and zoning board this week unanimously recommended rezoning 2.2 acres from office to multifamily and a variation to increase the maximum allowable density for Liberty Point Residences.

Northpointe Development Corporation of Oshkosh and Dream Lane Real Estate Group of Madison, Wisconsin, are partnering on the project intended to serve households earning 30% to 80% of Lake County’s median income.

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Leo’s notes: The Liberty Point Residences proposal illustrates how strategic use of tax credits and smart siting can unlock housing opportunities even on challenging parcels. Gurnee’s willingness to consider rezoning and higher density reflects the type of flexibility communities need if we are serious about meeting housing demand without displacing residents.

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...