Wisconsin Workforce Housing News
This Weeks Articles for 2/23/2026 ...
- DCEDC looks for updated housing data in new study ...
- ‘The year of housing’: Milwaukee leaders celebrate more than 3,000 new homeowners ...
- Smaller Metros On The Rise: Why Corporate Real Estate Leaders Are Choosing Secondary Cities...
- $65K in affordable housing grants awarded in Jefferson Co. ...
- Essential household costs are driving Wisconsin’s affordability challenge, report says...
- CPP Announces Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Highland Park Apartments in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
- High housing costs, shortages propel movement on reform in Congress...
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
DCEDC looks for updated housing data in new study
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...
...Full Story Here
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 year of housing’: Milwaukee leaders celebrate more than 3,000 new homeowners
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.
In 2021, the city of Milwaukee launched the Milwaukee’s Collective Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. The 10-year plan lays out a road map on advancing racial equity and ensuring a quality affordable home for every Milwaukeean.
The plan has four main focuses: strategies to increase Black and Latino homeownership; strategies to ensure that Black and Latino residents stay in their homes; systems to make housing more affordable for those earning between $7.25 to $15 per hour; and ensuring that existing affordable housing for residents earning $7.25 to $15 per hour is preserved...
...Full Story Here
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.
Smaller Metros On The Rise: Why Corporate Real Estate Leaders Are Choosing Secondary Cities
For companies considering expansion or relocation, smaller metros — often called secondary cities — are increasingly landing on the shortlist.
For companies considering expansion or relocation, smaller metros — often called secondary cities — are increasingly landing on the shortlist. Not as compromises. As competitive, strategic options.
Why The Shift Is Happening
Over the last several years, three forces have converged:
- Sustained cost pressure
- Evolving workforce expectations
- Increased operational risk awareness
- Lower Class A office and industrial lease rates
- Competitive wage structures with slower escalation
- More affordable employee housing
- Lower congestion-related productivity loss
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...
Wisconsin Workforce Housing Resources
...Full Story Here
Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
$65K in affordable housing grants awarded in Jefferson Co.
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...
...Full Story Here
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 household costs are driving Wisconsin’s affordability challenge, report says
`Essential costs are increasing way faster than median household income and way faster than inflation overall,` says researcher
While median wages in Wisconsin have kept pace with inflation over the last 25 years, many essential household costs have risen much faster than wages and overall inflation.
That’s according to a new report from Forward Analytics, the research arm of the Wisconsin Counties Association. It highlights the rising costs for essential expenses like housing and healthcare as the primary constraint on household budgets across the state.
Preliminary estimates show that median household incomes in Wisconsin rose by 90 percent from 2000 to 2025, while overall costs of goods and services measured by the Consumer Price Index have increased by 87 percent during the same period, the report states...
...Full Story Here
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.
CPP Announces Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Highland Park Apartments in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Preservation effort extends long term affordability and delivers critical upgrades for residents
MILWAUKEE, Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CPP?(Community Preservation Partners), a mission-driven affordable housing preservation developer, has announced the acquisition and planned rehabilitation of Highland Park Apartments in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Located at 1600 W. Highland Avenue, west of downtown Milwaukee, Highland Park Apartments is an established affordable housing community with a long record of stable occupancy. Built in 1973 and renovated in 2009, the property includes 150 apartment homes across three three-story brick buildings. The unit mix consists of 100 one-bedroom units and 50 two-bedroom units, serving Milwaukee residents with access to quality, well maintained housing. The total development cost is approximately $38M, which includes the purchase price of $14M and estimated renovation costs of approximately $68,982 per unit...
...Full Story Here
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...
High housing costs, shortages propel movement on reform in Congress
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...
...Full Story Here
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...
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.
List of Housing Resources
WRA Wisconsin Housing Statistics (Thanks Jon!)
State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF) Program
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
DANE WORKFORCE HOUSING FUND
Dane County Regional Housing Strategy (RHS)
A Housing Hurdle: Demographics Drive Need for More Homes
Wisconsin Homeowners Alliance
WRA’s “Falling Behind” report
Social Development Commission - Pathway to success
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
Middleton Workforce Housing Committe
Milwaukee’s Collective Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
Workforce Housing Initiative For Wisconsin
2020 Symposia Series on Workforce Housing
Wisconsin Homeowners Alliance.org/resources/
City of Milwaukee Affordability Report
WHEDA Qualified Allocation Plan
10-Year Plan to End Homelessness
City of Milwaukee Consolidated Plan
Wisconsin Consolidated Plan
SEWRPC Regional Housing Plan
Wisconsin Policy Forum Reports
Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights
White House Fact Sheet on Rental Affordability
Community Economic Development / Division of Extension
Oshkosh Kids Foundation Tiny House Village