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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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Leo’s notes: The Corliss marks a milestone for Wisconsin—proof that large-scale, collaborative investment can truly reshape a community. Transforming a former industrial site into 576 affordable homes, including 144 dedicated senior units, The Corliss stands as the largest private affordable housing development in state history and a model for inclusive, mixed-income growth. Backed by city, state, and private partners—from TIF support to brownfield financing—this project not only delivers critically needed homes for households earning up to 80% AMI, but also demonstrates how intentional public–private partnerships can turn long-neglected land into vibrant neighborhoods. As Milwaukee celebrates this achievement, The Corliss offers a powerful reminder: bold housing solutions are possible when every sector pulls in the same direction.

Robert Hensel, representing First Place Homes, told the Oshkosh Redevelopment Authority that his firm wants to buy the infill lot at 347 West 7th and build “workforce-type housing” aimed at first-time buyers who cannot afford typical new-construction prices.

Hensel said the project would rely on collaboration with the city and the RDA and named Legacy Homes (represented by Scott Overstrat) as a contractor partner. He said the homes would be designed to limit discretionary amenities and keep construction quality, not “cheapy” finishes: “We don’t intend to build cheapy homes, we intend to build quality homes,” Hensel said.

The developer proposed using income-eligibility screening similar to Habitat for Humanity and suggested deed restrictions or a second-mortgage recapture mechanism so gains from an early resale would return to the RDA to fund future homes. Hensel described the plan as a pilot that could scale to multiple infill lots if successful.

Board members asked technical and policy questions about accessibility, past precedents and how any resale recapture would be structured. One member asked whether the city or RDA already uses the proposed recapture mechanism; staff said not exactly, but noted similar language exists in other local programs and that staff would pull model language from existing Habitat Homes and Washington Avenue agreements...

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Leo’s notes: Oshkosh is taking an encouraging step toward expanding attainable homeownership, as the Redevelopment Authority signaled support for a pilot “workforce home” proposal on an infill lot at 347 W. 7th. First Place Homes and Legacy Homes are collaborating on a model that combines modest, quality construction with income-eligibility screening and resale-recapture safeguards to keep homes affordable over time—an approach similar to Habitat and other mission-driven builders.

Housing everywhere is less affordable, but the affordability crisis is accelerating fastest in rural areas, according to an analysis by Redfin.

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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...

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s home sales report continues to sound like a broken record.

The Wisconsin Realtors released their latest report Thursday, showing October home prices were up, inventory lacked and affordability continues to be a problem.

“For the fifth straight month, both existing home sales and median prices increased statewide,” the report states. “October home closings rose 3.4% compared to October 2024, and the median price increased to $331,500, which is a 6.9% increase over the last 12 months.”...

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If village trustees were to extend the TID, the increment captured for the housing betterment fund would total approximately $700,000, according to Deputy Administrator Lauren Freeman....

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Last winter, I got an intriguing story tip: Many Wisconsin manufactured home communities were operating with expired licenses. 

I didn’t initially know much about these communities, often called mobile home parks, where residents own their homes but rent the land they sit on. I quickly learned they provide a critical source of affordable housing in Wisconsin and beyond — the country’s largest portion of unsubsidized low-income housing. 

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Ken Notes: These parks could provide a new solution to affordable housing but currently they are being bought as investment properties with absentee landlords and ever increasing rents.

Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers.

The typical home value in the United States was $362,117 in October, 0.1% higher than the year before.

High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments more expensive; as of November 20, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.26%.

Although home prices have inflated all across the U.S., there are some cities that command a higher price tag than others. Location, size, age, and condition are all contributing factors to home value...

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Leo’s notes: Wisconsin’s latest home value rankings underscore what families and employers already feel: affordability is slipping fastest in the communities where opportunity is strongest. With typical home values topping $1.9 million in Oconomowoc Lake and half of the state’s most expensive cities clustered around Madison and Milwaukee, the divide between where people work and where they can afford to live continues to widen. These trends reinforce the urgency of expanding workforce and “missing middle” housing—because in far too many high-growth corridors, owning a home is drifting out of reach for the very people who keep these communities running.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Renovations at a decades-old public housing tower on Green Bay’s west side are officially complete.

A grand reopening ceremony was held Thursday to celebrate accessibility and energy-efficiency upgrades at Mason Manor. This eight-story, 152-unit apartment complex is located on Admiral Court in Green Bay. Constructed in 1972, the high-rise is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains the foundation of the Green Bay Housing Authority portfolio.

GBHA worked with Gorman & Company, a Wisconsin-based affordable housing firm, to execute the renovations, which took place in four phases over two years. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) served as a lending partner providing low income housing tax credits...

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Leo’s notes: The $25 million renovation of Green Bay’s Mason Manor is a reminder that preserving affordable housing is as important as building new units. By modernizing a 1972 high-rise—replacing plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and key accessibility features—Green Bay Housing Authority and Gorman & Company extended the life of 152 affordable homes for decades to come. In a growing city where demand continues to outpace supply, these projects are critical: revitalizing existing stock keeps residents housed, stabilizes neighborhoods, and protects affordability far more quickly than new construction alone can deliver.

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...