This Weeks Articles for 6/8/2026 ...

1. New report explores latest WI housing projections, policy implications...
2. Builders, industry group share what encourages new home building ...
3. Northeast Wisconsin projects awarded WHEDA tax credits for 227 affordable housing units...
4. When private equity firms buy mobile home parks, rent increases leave residents with few affordable options in rural areas...
5. WHEDA announces $47.5 million in housing tax credits...
6. Project Redevelops Housing Downtown at Cherry Lanes ...
7. Winnebago County names Oshkosh GOEDC for housing fund...
8. Almost 100 Affordable Housing Units are Coming to La Crosse...
9. WHEDA Foundation 2026 Housing Grant Program now open ...

   ...Full Story Here

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

While Wisconsin will need less new housing than previously projected to maintain the status quo, a new Forward Analytics report argues the state should set its sights higher than “building for a low-end estimate.” 

The research arm of the Wisconsin Counties Association yesterday released “Not Enough: Wisconsin’s Housing Outlook.” 

The report shows the state will need around 84,000 new housing units by 2030 to match its working-age population trend. That’s a substantial decline from earlier estimates, which put the number around 140,000 in 2023 based on less dramatic forecasts of Wisconsin’s working-age population decline. 

But yesterday’s report says building just enough housing for a declining workforce “is not positioning itself to grow, attract talent, or remain economically competitive” through the next decade and even further...

See the release and report. 

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: A new Forward Analytics report finds Wisconsin will need approximately 84,000 new housing units by 2030 to keep pace with current workforce and population trends—significantly lower than earlier estimates of 140,000 units due to a steeper-than-expected decline in the state's working-age population. This report reframes Wisconsin’s housing challenge from one of scarcity alone to one of economic competitiveness. The question now ought to be whether enough units can be build to attract the workers, families, and talent needed to grow. Communities that view housing as an economic development strategy—not simply a response to demand—will likely be best positioned to compete for future workforce growth and investment. Contact us for a deeper response to the full report.

   ...Full Story Here

(WLUK) -- Five affordable housing projects in Northeast Wisconsin are getting tax credits from the state.

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) announced Wednesday multifamily housing developers statewide will receive $47.8 million in competitive Housing Tax Credits (HTC), projected to create housing for approximately 5,000 Wisconsinites.

In total, 35 developments in 15 counties will provide or preserve 2,128 new affordable housing units in 26 communities statewide that are struggling to provide housing for working families.

"Ensuring all our neighbors have access to reliable, affordable housing is essential for the health of our families, communities and our economy,” said Gov. Tony Evers in a news release...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: The latest WHEDA awards highlight how housing tax credits remain one of Wisconsin’s most effective tools for producing affordable housing at scale. The geographic diversity of this year’s NE Wisconsin projects also reflects a growing reality: housing shortages are no longer limited to major metropolitan areas. Communities of all sizes are increasingly competing for workforce talent, making affordable housing production an economic development strategy as much as a housing policy initiative.

Roughly 20 million Americans live in manufactured houses, which are homes made in factories.

Although they’re often called mobile homes or trailers, that’s really a misnomer because their owners can’t easily relocate them. Typically, the people who own them rent the land underneath the houses from the owners of manufactured home parks. Sometimes, an owner will rent their home to someone else while paying to rent the land as well.

Manufactured homes tend to be far more affordable than other single-family homes because they have lower upfront and monthly expenses. A typical one costs around US$120,000; smaller ones, known as single-wides, cost around $87,000...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: Manufactured housing is one of the few naturally occurring affordable homeownership opportunities available in rural America, yet it remains largely overlooked in housing policy discussions. As communities search for solutions to housing shortages, preserving existing affordable housing stock—including manufactured home communities—may be just as important as building new units. The challenge highlights a broader reality: housing affordability depends not only on the cost of the home itself, but also on the long-term stability of the land and infrastructure that support it.

Ken Notes: We need new rules for manufactured housing, neighborhoods, and development. While smaller lots are good we need to remove the profiteering owners from calling the shots. We need communities to buy and develop sites for manufactured housing, install the infrastructure, create security, develop amenities, approve architecture, create neighborhoods and integrate these into the larger community. Leo and I can show you dozens of examples where this is working but it does take planning, education, and the ability to work together.

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) awarded $47.5 million in housing tax credits across 35 developments in 15 counties, including 10 projects planned in Milwaukee County.

The HTC’s, which are meant to incentivize private investment in affordable housing, will provide or preserve more than 2,100 new affordable housing units across various community types, the announcement said...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: WHEDA awarded $47.5 million in housing tax credits to 35 developments across Wisconsin that will create or preserve more than 2,100 affordable housing units. The awards combine both competitive 9% tax credits and 4% federal and state credits, helping developers bridge financing gaps and attract private investment into affordable housing developments.These latests awards continues to highlight that affordable housing production at scale depends on layered financing and public-private partnerships. While tax credits are often invisible to the public, they remain one of the most effective tools available for creating workforce and affordable housing, particularly as rising construction and financing costs continue to challenge project feasibility. It is also worth highlighting how affordable housing is increasingly being integrated into downtown redevelopment, neighborhood revitalization, and transit-oriented growth strategies rather than being treated as a standalone housing issue.

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

   ...Full Story Here

Nate Notes: to be included as a Workforce Housing resource email us a link and a brief note to: wwhnews.com@gmail.com...

Eight new affordable housing units are now part of the Sturgeon Bay rental market thanks to the rehabilitation of the upstairs portion of the Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar building. The family of owners Moira and Justin Callan cut the ribbon to mark the completion of the apartments May 29. 

The project includes five one-bedroom units, ranging from 584 to 652 square feet, and three efficiency apartments, ranging from 519 square feet to 623 square feet. The units had been reserved for Sturgeon Bay residents whose income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. 

Mayor David Ward thanked the Callans for rehabilitating the building’s second floor and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) for financing the project with a low-interest loan...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: the completion of The Lofts at Cherry Lanes in downtown Sturgeon Bay transformed a long-vacant second floor above the historic arcade and bowling alley into eight affordable apartments. Supported by WHEDA’s Restore Main Street program and local workforce housing financing, the project received immediate response- roughly 90 applications received and all units leased before opening. The rapid lease-up demonstrates the depth of unmet workforce housing demand in Door County, particularly for smaller, attainable units serving single workers and couples. Just as importantly, the project showcases how adaptive reuse of underutilized downtown buildings can add housing supply without consuming new land—an approach that many Wisconsin communities may increasingly look to as they balance housing needs, historic preservation, and downtown revitalization goals.

The $4.5 million fund combines Spirit Fund and Industrial Development Board money to support low-interest financing and partnerships.

Key Points

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: This is a notable shift from planning for housing to actively financing it. Revolving loan funds can be particularly effective because they target the often-overlooked financing gaps that prevent otherwise viable housing projects from moving forward. As more Wisconsin communities recognize housing as critical economic infrastructure, locally controlled capital tools like this may become an increasingly important part of the workforce housing toolbox. A model worth following!

LA CROSSE, WI — The City of La Crosse has been awarded a total of $2.4 million in 2026 Housing Tax Credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) for the 7^th St. Residences and Heritage Lofts at Lincoln projects.

"As our city continues to grow, increasing our housing supply is important for social and economic development,” Director of Planning and Development Andrea Trane said. “This is a huge win for increasing access to affordable housing for all residents and for the City’s workforce housing needs.”

WHEDA awarded $47.8 million for multifamily housing tax credit developments throughout the state, with La Crosse receiving $1,110,800 in federal credits for 7^th St. Residences. Heritage Lofts at Lincoln received $721,713 from the federal government and $521,401 from the state...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: La Crosse has secured $2.4 million in WHEDA Housing Tax Credits to support two affordable housing developments that will create 96 new affordable units by 2028! While 96 units alone will not close La Crosse’s housing gap, the developments demonstrate how communities can leverage historic structures, public-private partnerships, and housing tax credits to create attainable housing while preserving neighborhood assets.

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 Housing Grant Program. Up to $2 million is available for physical improvements to emergency shelters and transitional residences statewide, including rehabilitation, accessibility upgrades, and new construction. Applications are available on wheda.com and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 31.

Established in 1985 in response to reduced federal housing funding, the WHEDA Foundation Housing Grant Program is funded entirely by WHEDA operations without state tax dollars. The program serves low-income and disadvantaged populations statewide, helping to maintain essential housing resources. Since its inception, the WHEDA Foundation has granted almost $35 million for housing facility improvements...

   ...Full Story Here

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.


   ...Full Story Here

   ...Full Story Here

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