Wisconsin Workforce Housing News



Ken Harwood
Advocating for Wisconsin
HarwoodKen [at] gmail.com
Cell 608.334.2174


Commentary
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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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Wisconsin faces a housing affordability crisis. Here’s how lawmakers and candidates for governor plan to address it.


Republicans want lower property taxes and less regulation. Democrats emphasize funding affordable housing development programs and renter rights. Both want to incentivize developers to build cheaper options.

The median price of a home in Wisconsin rose nearly 120% over the past decade, from $155,000 to $337,000 according to data from the Wisconsin Realtors Association.

But median Wisconsin incomes have increased only about 50% in that time period, illustrating just one of the reasons why voters and politicians are increasingly concerned about a housing affordability crisis.

Past bipartisan efforts at the Capitol have worked to address these issues. In 2023, the Republican-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers dedicated more than $500 million in the biennial budget toward several loan programs at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority aimed at creating new affordable housing, rehabilitating homes and transitioning space in commercial buildings...

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Ken Notes: We need to allow communities design neighborhoods that support affordable workforce housing. Smaller lots, smaller homes, quality manufactured units, infrastructure assistance, help with interest rates, owner occupied, nice amenities, partner with developers and builders. Also remember each community is different, a solution for Milwaukee will and should look dramatically different that a solution for rural Wisconsin.

The current "Affordable Housing Programs" are not addressing the need for affordable workforce housing. We need more quality homes for service, retail, and entry level employees that allow them to build equity through ownership. Keep the math simple if 50K is a fair living wage then $ 1,250 is a fair housing payment (30%). So assuming your entire $1,250 monthly payment is for the principal and interest @ %6.5, you can afford a home loan of approximately $200,000ish.

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Wisconsin Workforce Housing Resources


ENABLING BETTER PLACES: A USER’S GUIDE TO WISCONSIN NEIGHBORHOOD AFFORDABILITY

Wisconsin REALTORS® Association

WISCAP Affordable Housing Network

Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources


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...

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Tiny home project in Milwaukee will provide temporary housing for homeless veterans


Groundbreaking for the Veterans Community Project was held Monday

Construction is set to begin soon for a project in Milwaukee aimed at getting homeless veterans off the street and into housing. 

The development, spearheaded by Veterans Community Project, will bring 40 tiny homes to a 7-acre site on Milwaukee’s northwest side. Each tiny home will be anywhere from 240 to 320 square feet and will come fully furnished. 

Bryan Meyer, Veterans Community Project cofounder and CEO, said people in the program will be able to live there for free with access to case managers to help get them into permanent housing...



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Ken Notes: I like these projects, but 300 sq. ft. is, well tiny. and while this is a part of the solution we need more 1,200 sq. ft. homes for those working and looking to enter the housing market rather than renting an apartment.

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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.

We aggregate news and highlight programs that are working to provide affordable workforce housing in Wisconsin. We advocate for state and local policies that improve the more affordable housing markets. We encourage developers to build new homes that are affordable for those working for Wisconsin while still making a fair profit on the work they do. We encourage communities and neighborhoods to become partners in meeting these needs. We highlight what others have done as a form of "Best Practices" in the State and Country. Finally, we provide direct links to resources and programs in the State.

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.

Safe, affordable housing makes a difference in the lives of children and families impacting both education and health. We are supporting affordable housing because it is good for business, good for families, good for communities, and good for Wisconsin.

Ken Harwood
Editor / Publisher
Advocating for Wisconsin
608.334.2174
harwoodken[at]gmail.com



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List of Housing Resources



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WWHNEWS Notes: To add a resource or correct above send data and link to wwhnews.com[at]gmail.com...

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