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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

AK Development and Milwaukee Development Corporation will provide training.

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Leo’s notes: As projects grow more complex and financing more layered, investing in developer capacity is emerging as a critical strategy to sustain workforce housing production. Building talent behind the pipeline is building supply — a model to watch.

Ken Notes: I wish we would evaluate these grant funded programs against measurable deliverables. We need a set goal with actual numbers assigned to communities or regions for affordable homes - (with a clear definition like a sub $200,000 sale price). We need quality affordable homes for our service and retail workers making $15 to $25 per hour.

Indiana-based Annex Group outlined early plans for 236 rental units at 9251 N. 70th St.

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Leo`s notes: A proposed 236-unit affordable development near the former Northridge Mall highlights Milwaukee’s ongoing tension between housing supply needs and neighborhood concerns. As the city confronts a documented housing shortage, debates over rental saturation versus homeownership underscore the complexity of workforce housing expansion. Aligning community trust with production goals remains critical and this proposal is one of many examples of development misalignment throughout our state.

Ken Notes: We continue policy that favors development of rental property. For example in Milwaukee it is easy for an "investor" to purchase blighted properties make minimal investments and then rent the properties with immediate cash flow and a positive ROI -- with tax credits thrown in for good measure. We have a problem because WE created one. Credits and incentives for owner occupancy seems to make more sense than what we are doing now.

Funding Secured by Sen. Tammy Baldwin to Support Affordable Housing Efforts Across Northwest Wisconsin.

The funding is part of a broader package supporting priority community projects across Northern Wisconsin and reflects a significant federal investment in addressing housing affordability, workforce stability, and community resilience in rural areas.

“This is an incredibly meaningful moment for our organization and the communities we serve,” said Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director of Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity. “I’m deeply grateful to see this come to fruition. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we stay committed to the mission and work together to strengthen housing stability and opportunity across our region.”

According to Senator Baldwin’s office, the government funding bill directs resources to locally driven initiatives that address pressing community needs, including affordable housing, infrastructure, and economic development. For Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity, the $500,000 investment will help support a comprehensive, region-wide approach to increasing access to safe, affordable housing through new construction, preservation of existing homes, homelessness prevention efforts, and community-based skills and workforce programming...

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Leo`s notes: A $500,000 federal Community Project Funding award will bolster Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to expand and preserve affordable housing across Northwest Wisconsin. In rural regions facing aging housing stock and workforce shortages, targeted federal investment reinforces that housing stability is foundational to economic resilience.

MADISON, Wis. — Dane County Executive Melissa Agard announced on Tuesday that $1 million in grant funds are set to be released to accelerate housing development and help address the county`s housing crisis.

Officials say interested municipalities can use the funds to update their zoning codes, internal procedures, and permitting processes.

The Dane County Department of Human Services` Housing Access and Affordability will administer the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant funds, or CDBG PRO Housing for short. These funds are intended to be informed by the Best Practices Model Zoning Code Guide, which the Dane County Planning and Development Department releases.

“Regulatory barriers can drive up housing costs and restrict the supply of homes and the range of housing options available.” County Executive Agard went on to say, “Through the CDBG PRO Housing grant program, our participating municipalities will have a chance to review their local zoning, permitting, and internal procedures—and make important reforms to remove barriers and support more housing.”...

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Leo`s notes: Dane County’s release of $1 million in CDBG PRO Housing funds targets one of the most persistent barriers to workforce housing: local regulation. By helping municipalities modernize zoning and permitting processes, the county is focusing on structural reforms that unlock long-term supply. Removing barriers is as critical as financing construction—a model worth piloting throughout our state.

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...

PROPOSALS DUE: All Proposals must be received at DOA no later than 2:00 pm, CT on Friday, April 17, 2026

The State of Wisconsin, on behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), is seeking proposals to design and construct student housing within the UW-Madison campus boundary. Two potential state-owned sites are to be explored to maximize student housing and achieve a goal of 1,500-2,000 beds. An acceptable alternative approach would be to propose privately-owned sites within the campus boundary to meet the student housing goals state previously. Proposers should offer terms to lease as well as an option to purchase the facility(ies). To submit a Proposal, please follow the instructions provided in the link below.

View RFP

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MANITOWOC – The city’s downtown likely will have a new look soon, as work on a 59-unit apartment complex on the former Mirro site is expected to begin in mid-summer.

The city’s Community Development Authority recently approved a site plan for Maritime Lofts, which will consist of 21 one-bedroom apartments, 20 two-bed apartments and 18 three-bedroom apartments at the form Mirro site on Washington Street...

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Leo`s notes: The development reflects a layered financing approach, combining tax credits, public partnership and environmental remediation. This project exemplifies how underutilized industrial land can be repositioned to support downtown revitalization and long-term housing supply.

For millions of people living with dementia, quality of life often takes a drastic turn downward. But it doesn`t have to be that way.

Agrace Hospice is planning a new village to be built in Madison, WI, that will house dementia patients in a "Main Street USA" setting.

"We`ll restore a sense of autonomy and spontaneity, and a return to the normal daily rhythms someone has before their dementia diagnosis," says Lynne Sexten, CEO of Agrace Hospice...   ...Full Story Here

Ken Notes: I love this project but my guess is that the down-stroke will price many of us out of the market. I hope we can use this model to bring affordable neighborhoods to many Wisconsin communities.

Leo`s notes: With integrated workforce housing for health care trainees, this innovative model connects long-term care, staffing pipelines, and residential design. As demographics shift, housing innovation must extend across the full continuum of need—a model to watch.

Sturgeon Bay’s Plan Commission approved a conditional use permit (CUP) request Feb. 18 for a proposed 60-unit affordable housing apartment on the city’s west side, though commissioners expressed concerns about how best to have motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic maneuver through that area. 

The Columbia Corners apartment project by Gorman and Company would be built on vacant property located at South Columbia Avenue and Green Bay Road (state Highway 42/57), which is zoned General Commercial (C-1) and requires a CUP for multi-family housing. 

The Common Council, which supports locating the three-story apartment at that location, previously committed $250,000 from the city’s affordable housing reserve funds to the project on Dec. 2, contingent on it securing Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) low-income housing tax credits...

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Leo`s notes: Sturgeon Bay’s approval of a 60-unit mixed-income development reflects continued momentum for workforce housing in smaller markets. As commissioners weigh traffic access and pedestrian safety alongside tax credit financing, the discussion underscores how infrastructure alignment is critical to successful infill projects. Coordinating site design with public investment remains essential to turning approvals into production.

Ken Notes: Two quick observations -- One, Gorman does great projects, Two, I still believe Door County could be the perfect place for a model workforce housing village for service and retail workers needed to staff the tourism engine that drives the Door County economy. In fact done well I believe this "village" could become a tourist attraction itself.

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...