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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

Experts say it will have a meaningful impact on housing costs, but not overnight.

The most sweeping federal housing bill in decades took effect Saturday morning with little fanfare after President Donald Trump refused to sign it in protest over unrelated election priorities.

The president abruptly called off a signing ceremony on Capitol Hill last month, then decided not to act on the legislation before a midnight deadline. The bill became law anyway because the president did not veto it...

... The bill includes dozens of provisions to streamline federal regulations, slim down environmental reviews, speed up home building and limit corporations from buying up single-family homes.

Dennis Shea, a housing policy expert with the Bipartisan Policy Center, said addressing housing supply shortages is a critical part of the solution.

"At the heart of the housing affordability problem is the fact that we simply have underbuilt housing by millions of homes since the Great Recession of 2007, 2008," Shea said. "No single piece of legislation coming out of Congress is going to solve the housing affordability challenge overnight. We got into this problem over many, many years, and to get out of the problem will require a significant amount of time." ...

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Leo's notes: A new federal housing law has officially taken effect, marking the most significant national housing legislation in decades. The new law represents a notable shift toward addressing the underlying causes of the nation's housing shortage by removing regulatory barriers, encouraging local land-use reforms, and expanding opportunities for new construction. While no single piece of legislation will solve decades of underbuilding, the bipartisan law provides communities with additional tools to increase housing supply over time. Its ultimate success will depend on whether states and local governments embrace the incentives, modernize zoning and permitting processes, and partner with the private sector to translate federal policy into homes on the ground.

The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) has contracted with Place Dynamics of New Berlin, Wisconsin, to complete a comprehensive housing study.

The study will provide a data-driven analysis of housing supply, demand, affordability, workforce needs and development opportunities across the county. The need for year-round workers, affordable housing, seasonal workforce housing, senior housing and market-rate housing will be taken into account along with the unique characteristics of Sturgeon Bay, Northern Door and Southern Door. 

Through research, stakeholder engagement and market analysis, Place Dynamics will identify barriers to housing development and provide actionable recommendations for potential partnerships, programs, investments and strategies. The completed study will serve as a roadmap to help address one of the county’s most pressing challenges – ensuring Door County has the housing options needed to support residents, attract talent and sustain future economic vitality...

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Leo's notes: Door County’s selected consultant will identify current and future housing needs, development barriers, and strategies to expand the county's housing supply. To really make an impact, the strongest local housing strategies should combine comprehensive planning with implementation tools—such as revolving loan funds, infrastructure financing, and development partnerships—that help translate studies into completed homes and utilize Wisconsin's new legislation supporting these needs. Door County's approach reflects a growing recognition across Wisconsin that sustained progress requires both a clear roadmap and the financial capacity to act on it.

Ken Notes: As a planner for the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission, I have done a number of these. The key to a good plan is not just identifying the problem (because WE KNOW the problem), the key is identifying solutions and creating opportunity for builders, developers, and investors to support building neighborhoods that embrace workforce housing. Also the State has recently passed five new laws to help with these goals. Leo and I would be glad to help...

Austin Commons, a proposed 100-unit affordable housing development in Bay View, is one vote away from receiving a $2.1 million city subsidy.

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Leo's notes: As Wisconsin communities work to address housing shortages, local debates are increasingly shifting from whether more housing is needed to where and how it should be built. Austin Commons illustrates the difficult balance between expanding affordable housing opportunities and addressing neighborhood concerns over project scale, density, and community character. While public subsidies and zoning approvals often generate debate, they are frequently necessary to overcome financing gaps that make affordable housing financially feasible.

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...

TWO RIVERS (NBC 26) — The Two Rivers City Council on July 6, 2026, approved a resolution to extend Tax Incremental District (TID) No. 9 for one additional year, creating an opportunity to invest in future housing development and advance one of the city's top priorities: growing its population.

The extension is part of the city's broader strategy to manage its Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts while reinvesting resources into community development projects...

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Leo's notes: Two Rivers is leveraging the extension of certain TIF districts for one year to invest in development-ready land before a builder is even selected—a proactive approach that reduces upfront costs and helps make future housing projects more financially viable. As housing shortages continue to constrain workforce growth across Wisconsin, strategic use of existing financing tools like TIF extensions demonstrates how local governments can create the conditions for private investment while advancing long-term community and economic development goals.

The proposal marks the latest chapter for a property that has seen multiple redevelopment concepts designed to bring housing to a former department store property on West Historic Mitchell Street.   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: The renewed vision for the Grand Department Store reflects a growing recognition that preserving historic assets and addressing housing needs are complementary objectives rather than competing priorities. While these projects often require complex financing and historic preservation incentives to overcome higher redevelopment costs, they demonstrate how older downtowns and neighborhood business districts can contribute to expanding housing supply.

MADISON, Wis. — A newly enacted Wisconsin law designed to streamline some housing development has taken effect and it could save time and money.

The legislation, 2025 Wisconsin Act 68, changes the process for approving subdivision plats.

The law comes as Madison continues to grapple with housing. A city report released earlier this year found that while developing new housing has improved, demand for it continues to outpace supply. This while homeownership costs are rising faster than incomes, making it increasingly difficult for first-time buyers to enter the market.

"We need houses built sooner rather than later," said Jerry Deschane, executive director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. "We're in a housing crisis. We need houses."...

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Ken Notes: Each city and village need to address these issues, State law may initiate change but real change need to come from the communities.

WAUSAU – Current and future residents of Wausau may soon see a new housing and commercial development along East Bridge Street.

The city’s Economic Development Committee voted 4-1 on July 7 granting an exclusive, six-month planning agreement to Madison-based developer Eminent Development Corporation for 1.13 total acres of city-owned property at 1501, 1502, 1505, 1508, 1509, 1510, 1514 N. Second St. and 201 E. Bridge St...

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Leo's notes: Wausau's willingness to explore redevelopment of publicly owned land reflects a broader trend of municipalities taking a more proactive role in assembling sites, partnering with private developers, and using strategic public investment to unlock housing production. Success will ultimately depend on balancing project feasibility with community expectations, but the proposal demonstrates how mixed-use infill can support both housing growth and long-term economic vitality.

Former Voit farm property is being redeveloped as a housing subdivision on Madison's east side

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Ken Notes: Three acres to potentially secure 1,000 housing units may redefine "dense" -- if I had 4.3 million for housing land acquisition I might have sought more land for far lower cost and left this small space for more profitable ventures. Starkweather previously bought a total of 60 acres from the Voit family for over $8 million.

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...