Recent changes to a tax credit program add flexibility as state officials try to incentivize investments in workforce housing and childcare...

Communities across the country are working to address a growing shortage of affordable housing, yet bringing these developments to life continues to present challenges. Rising construction costs, labor shortages, higher interest rates and more complex financing structures make projects more challenging to deliver than in years past.

While owners and developers can’t control many of the market forces affecting affordable housing, they can influence how projects are planned and delivered. In our experience, the most successful developments become affordable because project teams make smarter decisions before construction ever begins...

...One of the biggest misconceptions about affordable housing is that cost savings come from bidding and value engineering in the later stages of the design process. In reality, the greatest savings often come from bringing the construction team to the table much earlier...

Wisconsin is awarding $50 million to support 22 housing developments that are expected to create nearly 1,900 affordable housing units across the state.

Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority announced the awards Wednesday. The projects span 10 counties and will receive funding through the state’s Vacancy-to-Vitality, Infrastructure Access and Restore Main Street loan programs.

The programs were created through bipartisan legislation signed by Evers in 2023 and supported by $525 million included in the 2023-25 state budget for workforce housing.

“Expanding access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is a key part of our work to support kids and families, strengthen our communities, and grow our state’s workforce,” ...

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced Thursday that the agency invested $229 million in projects across 67 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties during fiscal year 2026, supporting businesses, nonprofits, housing, child care, workforce initiatives, downtown development, and economic growth throughout the state.

According to the governor’s office, the investments are intended to help communities recruit and retain workers, support entrepreneurs and startups, strengthen Main Streets, expand affordable housing and child care options, and promote Wisconsin businesses in global markets.

Gov. Evers said investments in businesses and communities help strengthen Wisconsin’s long-term economy by supporting workforce development, affordable housing, and business expansion...

JANESVILLE — Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha, Jefferson and Rock counties will soon complete construction on one of four single-family homes built in Janesville this fiscal year. The organization’s expansion into Rock County comes alongside a shift in city policy that will allow nonprofits to apply for aid from the city’s affordable housing fund.

The first of the homes, located on S. Osborne Ave., is 1,421 square feet with three bedrooms and one and a half baths. The remaining three homes will also have 3 BR/1.5 BA, but will be located across the street from the Janesville Performing Arts Center downtown. Construction on those houses has not yet begun.

The expansion is part of the nonprofit’s strategic goal to build 20 new homes, engage three communities annually and complete 30 home repairs by 2033.

Melissa Songco, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Waukesha — Jefferson — Rock said the organization is well on its way to meeting this goal, with 19 new homes scheduled to be closed by the end of the fiscal year in June 2027...

The Common Council on Aug. 4 took the next step toward reshaping the city’s west side, recommending creation of a new Tax Incremental District – TID #12 – and expansion of three existing ones, TID #7, TID #9 and TID #10.

TID #12 would place six parcels totaling about 77 acres along Division Road, South Ridgeway Avenue and South Ridgeway Drive into a mixed-use district, financing infrastructure for 44 single-family lots, 11 duplexes and 34 storage units with optional living spaces. Thirty of the single-family lots on the Division Road portion are designated workforce housing.

In a separate motion, the council approved the final plat for that subdivision, developed by Jim Conard and Portside Builders...

BEAVER DAM — Beaver Dam officials are exploring new ways to encourage housing development after hearing from a housing expert who said expanding housing choices is critical to supporting the city’s workforce and long-term growth.

Jolena Presti, a managing director with Baker Tilly’s development and community advisory practice, presented to the Beaver Dam Common Council Monday evening about trends communities are using to increase housing supply and remove barriers to development.

Presti said a recent market study identified four common housing challenges facing Beaver Dam. Rental housing remains limited, with many apartment properties nearly full, leaving few options for new residents. Employers report that the lack of available housing is making it harder to recruit and retain workers. The city also faces a shortage of workforce housing — homes affordable to middle-income households that are not subsidized — while much of its existing housing stock is older and will require continued reinvestment.

Madison-based developers Brad and Mark Binkowski plan to transform the state-owned General Executive Facility 2 building into apartments and demolish the next door GEF 3 building to accommodate additional housing on a 2.5-acre site on South Webster Street, according to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal.

The state is prepared to accept the $12.65 million offer by the father-and-son team, whose plans are still being finalized. They envision 300 to 400 apartments, some commercial space and a large open area between the buildings, the report said.

The Wisconsin Department of Administration put the two buildings up for sale as part of an Evers administration plan to consolidate state office spaces, in part because they have more than $200 million in combined deferred maintenance needs...

VIROQUA Wis. – The Viroqua Housing Advisory Board is charting a new course to expand local residential options after successfully guiding its first major ordinances through the city council.

Sonya Newenhouse, who serves as the chair of the newer city committee, explained during their recent July 30 meeting that the board was formed about two and a half years ago. She noted the group was established to find proactive solutions for all types of residential pressures, rather than just focusing on affordable housing. The board recently welcomed two new members to its ranks, including Ward 1 Alderperson Seth McClurg, who brings 25 years of construction experience, and Amanda Hautanen, a registered nurse with a master’s degree in public health.

Tanja Birke, the other city council representative on the board, noted that the group has faced a long journey. Birke explained that the board began its work just as Viroqua was initiating its comprehensive planning process, which heavily influenced their early discussions...

Student housing will provide medical students with on-campus, affordable option

BELOIT — Work officially started Wednesday on the first large-scale affordable housing development in Beloit in about 15 years, and the process of deciding who will be able to rent those units is going to start soon as well.

On Wednesday, officials from Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, the Alternative Continuum of Care of Madison, the City of Beloit, Rock County and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority gathered at the site of former Stateline Family YMCA to celebrate the beginning of the 55-unit Riverside Apartments.

The $14 million project at 1865 Riverside Drive will have 45 units set aside for families making 80% of the county median income...

A recently approved project will bring 163 affordable units to the north side.

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) -- Governor Tony Evers announced $50 million to support 22 new housing developments across 10 counties, including La Crosse County, according to a release on Wednesday.

The funding is provided by the Vacancy-to-Vitality, Infrastructure Access, and Restore Main Street loan programs from the Wisconsin housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). It will help create nearly 1,900 workforce housing units for communities across Wisconsin.

“Expanding access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is a key part of our work to support kids and families, strengthen our communities, and grow our state’s workforce,” said Evers. “I’m proud of our efforts to build affordable housing statewide—to the tune of over 35,000 new units—that will help communities grow, and workers, families, and seniors thrive. Together, we are building the future we want to see for folks and communities across our state.” ...

BELOIT, Wis. — The Beloit City Council approved the sale of three city-owned lots to Habitat for Humanity Waukesha–Jefferson–Rock for $1, clearing the way for new affordable housing in the city’s Hackett neighborhood.

Habitat plans to build affordable single-family homes for local families on the following properties in Beloit’s Hackett neighborhood...

..City officials said the purchase builds on Habitat Waukesha–Jefferson–Rock’s momentum since it expanded into Rock County in 2025. They said it also reflects growing partnerships among local government, funders and businesses across the county.

JANESVILLE — The City of Janesville is eyeing changes to its affordable housing fund policy to broaden how the city can use the money.

The changes, which the city council reviews Monday, would allow the city to support a wider range of affordable housing projects as community needs evolve.

The current policy, adopted in 2022, was designed primarily to support the development of multifamily affordable rental housing. While that remains a priority, city officials say the policy’s narrow eligibility requirements have prevented the city from using the funds for other emerging affordable housing needs.

Since the policy was adopted, the city has not received an eligible project that met existing program requirements. The funds have largely remained unavailable despite continued demand for affordable housing.

The Affordable Housing Fund was established using tax-increment financing extension funds after a tax increment district was paid off...

That’s according to South Milwaukee City Administrator Travis Wells who noted in an email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that AK Development was unable to obtain financing for the Canal Transit Lofts project at 2318 10th Ave., the site of a former gas station.

The proposal included a 64,000-plus-square-foot commercial building with 63 market-rate apartments and approximately 5,000 square feet of commercial space. The South Milwaukee Common Council chose the proposal in January 2023 after the city requested proposals for the site in 2022, Wells said.

The approved development agreement required AK Development to secure financing and close on the property by June 30, 2025, Wells said. At the developer’s request, the city amended the agreement to extend the deadline to March 31, 2026, to allow more time for financing...

MARSHFIELD — After searching for a suitable location for six years, ENC Inc. (“Everyone Needs a Community”) is moving forward with plans to build an affordable housing development designed to serve seniors, autistic adults and others while fostering community engagement.

“We’ve been on this site search for six years, and we’ve had a few that fell through for various reasons,” said Kathleen Meyer, president of the nonprofit. “Once this one came up, we knew this would work well.”

The organization recently purchased approximately 20 acres of land beyond the Marshfield High School tennis courts on North Hume Avenue...

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) — Southeast Green Bay is getting a brand-new food innovation center, with the team breaking ground today.

WHEDA awards will help create about 300 apartments, from City Campus to Mitchell Street.

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Residents at Brookview Mobile Home Park staged a show of solidarity Tuesday afternoon, gathering to address mounting financial pressures that have strained their ability to afford their homes in what was supposed to be an affordable housing community.

The scene reflected a deeper divide: while park management hosted a pizza party for residents on one side of the street, residents organized their own gathering directly across the way.

Stephanie Mikkelson, a resident at the park, expressed frustration over the lack of meaningful dialogue with upper management.

"We've asked for a sit down, meeting with the upper management. Somebody who can make decisions, who can make changes to the lease. We're all adults here. So I guess I would have rather seen us come to the table. Let's sit down. Let's talk about it. Let's hash it out. Let's make some changes. But we already know they're not going to do that," Mikkelson said.

The core issue centers on what residents describe as relentless increases in lot rents, fees, and other housing-related costs. For many residents, these escalating expenses have transformed what was once an accessible housing option into an increasingly unaffordable one...

HILLSBORO, Wis. –  Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region is looking for families that want to live in brand new homes on the west end of Vernon County in a picturesque subdivision in Hillsboro.

Habitat’s Executive Director Kahya Fox said four of its 10 CrossMod homes (a cross between manufactured and traditional stick-built homes) are now ready and listed for sale in the Tinker’s Bluff Subdivision. Each three bedroom, two bath home also includes a garage and covered front porch, and is available for purchase to income-qualified families.

These four homes are being sold at “market rate,” which means the household must earn at or below 120 percent of the area media income. A family of four can earn up to $115,200 per year, Fox said.

Downpayment assistance and a Habitat reduced interest rate mortgage may be an option for those households under 80 percent, she added, but that limits earnings to $76,800 per year for a family of four...