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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced Thursday that the agency invested $229 million in projects across 67 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties during fiscal year 2026, supporting businesses, nonprofits, housing, child care, workforce initiatives, downtown development, and economic growth throughout the state.

According to the governor’s office, the investments are intended to help communities recruit and retain workers, support entrepreneurs and startups, strengthen Main Streets, expand affordable housing and child care options, and promote Wisconsin businesses in global markets.

Gov. Evers said investments in businesses and communities help strengthen Wisconsin’s long-term economy by supporting workforce development, affordable housing, and business expansion...

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Leo's notes: WEDC’s FY2026 investments reinforce that workforce housing is increasingly being treated as a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s economic development strategy rather than a standalone housing issue. By pairing housing investments with workforce, infrastructure, and business development initiatives, the state is recognizing that communities compete for talent by offering both quality jobs and attainable places to live. Coordinated investment across these sectors is becoming a defining strategy for long-term economic growth—a model to watch...

JANESVILLE — Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha, Jefferson and Rock counties will soon complete construction on one of four single-family homes built in Janesville this fiscal year. The organization’s expansion into Rock County comes alongside a shift in city policy that will allow nonprofits to apply for aid from the city’s affordable housing fund.

The first of the homes, located on S. Osborne Ave., is 1,421 square feet with three bedrooms and one and a half baths. The remaining three homes will also have 3 BR/1.5 BA, but will be located across the street from the Janesville Performing Arts Center downtown. Construction on those houses has not yet begun.

The expansion is part of the nonprofit’s strategic goal to build 20 new homes, engage three communities annually and complete 30 home repairs by 2033.

Melissa Songco, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Waukesha — Jefferson — Rock said the organization is well on its way to meeting this goal, with 19 new homes scheduled to be closed by the end of the fiscal year in June 2027...

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Leo's notes: While a single home won’t solve Wisconsin’s housing shortage, these projects create lasting wealth-building opportunities and strengthen neighborhood stability. Expanding pathways to ownership remains an essential part of a balanced workforce housing strategy.

Ken Notes: We need to look at using a Habitat like model in conjunction with Wisconsin's new TIF statute to create new "neighborhoods" for smaller homes that support workforce housing.

Madison-based developers Brad and Mark Binkowski plan to transform the state-owned General Executive Facility 2 building into apartments and demolish the next door GEF 3 building to accommodate additional housing on a 2.5-acre site on South Webster Street, according to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal.

The state is prepared to accept the $12.65 million offer by the father-and-son team, whose plans are still being finalized. They envision 300 to 400 apartments, some commercial space and a large open area between the buildings, the report said.

The Wisconsin Department of Administration put the two buildings up for sale as part of an Evers administration plan to consolidate state office spaces, in part because they have more than $200 million in combined deferred maintenance needs...

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Ken Notes: This will be a challenging project, but perfect for expanding the downtown housing footprint.

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...

Student housing will provide medical students with on-campus, affordable option

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Leo's notes: The Medical College of Wisconsin’s investment in dedicated student housing reflects the growing connection between housing and workforce development in critical industries like health care. By improving housing access for future physicians, the project strengthens the talent pipeline while easing pressure on the surrounding rental market. Workforce housing isn’t just about today’s employees—it’s about supporting tomorrows essential workforce as well...

VIROQUA Wis. – The Viroqua Housing Advisory Board is charting a new course to expand local residential options after successfully guiding its first major ordinances through the city council.

Sonya Newenhouse, who serves as the chair of the newer city committee, explained during their recent July 30 meeting that the board was formed about two and a half years ago. She noted the group was established to find proactive solutions for all types of residential pressures, rather than just focusing on affordable housing. The board recently welcomed two new members to its ranks, including Ward 1 Alderperson Seth McClurg, who brings 25 years of construction experience, and Amanda Hautanen, a registered nurse with a master’s degree in public health.

Tanja Birke, the other city council representative on the board, noted that the group has faced a long journey. Birke explained that the board began its work just as Viroqua was initiating its comprehensive planning process, which heavily influenced their early discussions...

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Leo's notes: Viroqua’s continued exploration of tiny homes and accessory dwelling units reflects a growing recognition that expanding workforce housing requires a variety of housing types, not just large developments. By evaluating flexible, neighborhood-scale options, local leaders are building a more diverse housing toolkit that can improve affordability while preserving community character. Incremental housing solutions are becoming an increasingly important part of Wisconsin’s workforce housing strategy.

Ken Notes: Solving Wisconsin's workforce housing issues in like a large jigsaw puzzle and Tiny Homes and ADUs are just a few pieces but without them we will not have a complete picture.

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Residents at Brookview Mobile Home Park staged a show of solidarity Tuesday afternoon, gathering to address mounting financial pressures that have strained their ability to afford their homes in what was supposed to be an affordable housing community.

The scene reflected a deeper divide: while park management hosted a pizza party for residents on one side of the street, residents organized their own gathering directly across the way.

Stephanie Mikkelson, a resident at the park, expressed frustration over the lack of meaningful dialogue with upper management.

"We've asked for a sit down, meeting with the upper management. Somebody who can make decisions, who can make changes to the lease. We're all adults here. So I guess I would have rather seen us come to the table. Let's sit down. Let's talk about it. Let's hash it out. Let's make some changes. But we already know they're not going to do that," Mikkelson said.

The core issue centers on what residents describe as relentless increases in lot rents, fees, and other housing-related costs. For many residents, these escalating expenses have transformed what was once an accessible housing option into an increasingly unaffordable one...

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Leo’s notes: Concerns from Brookview Mobile Home Park residents highlight the importance of preserving manufactured housing as one of Wisconsin’s largest sources of naturally affordable housing. As housing costs continue to rise, protecting existing affordable communities is just as critical as building new ones. Long-term workforce housing strategies must balance new development with preservation to maintain affordability for working families.

Ken Notes: This is happening across the nation and it is displacing many from affordable housing options. These residents need some protections legislatively to keep new owners from turning parks into extremely profitable cash cows.

HILLSBORO, Wis. –  Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region is looking for families that want to live in brand new homes on the west end of Vernon County in a picturesque subdivision in Hillsboro.

Habitat’s Executive Director Kahya Fox said four of its 10 CrossMod homes (a cross between manufactured and traditional stick-built homes) are now ready and listed for sale in the Tinker’s Bluff Subdivision. Each three bedroom, two bath home also includes a garage and covered front porch, and is available for purchase to income-qualified families.

These four homes are being sold at “market rate,” which means the household must earn at or below 120 percent of the area media income. A family of four can earn up to $115,200 per year, Fox said.

Downpayment assistance and a Habitat reduced interest rate mortgage may be an option for those households under 80 percent, she added, but that limits earnings to $76,800 per year for a family of four...

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Leo's notes: Habitat for Humanity’s approach in Hillsboro demonstrates how innovative construction methods can expand homeownership opportunities in rural communities. By combining factory-built homes with Habitat’s affordable ownership model, the organization is reducing costs while accelerating production for working families. Creative building strategies will play an increasingly important role in closing Wisconsin’s workforce housing gap—a model to watch.

Ken Notes: I believe we could work with stick builders and manufactured home builders to adopt some of the habitat design and working with families using new TIF statutes to create some very special neighborhoods especially in rural Wisconsin.

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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