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Ken Harwood

Advocating for Wisconsin

HarwoodKen [at] gmail.com

Cell 608.334.2174

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This Weeks Articles for 7/1/2025 ...

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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

UW report links housing stress to worsening health in Wisconsin

Co-authors of UW-Extension study speak on connection of health, housing, ways to address housing stress

Housing financial stress has been rising among Wisconsin residents, and it is tied to an increase in negative health outcomes, according to a report from the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

The report found that housing instability is linked to worsened mental and physical health and may cause food insecurity, physical exhaustion, hypertension and lowered fertility. While this stress is more common among renters than homeowners, the consequential health impacts were linked more with older homeowners, co-author of the report and associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics Tessa Conroy said.

These impacts are not only felt by individual residents but also on a community level. Co-author of the report and PhD student in the sociology department at UW Erin Gaede said housing is often overlooked when considering community wellbeing.

Gaede said that residents must understand that housing, financial stress and health are interconnected.

“If people are prioritizing their shelter over everything else, the potential for negative health outcomes is, I don’t want to say inevitable, but likely. So I think that that was kind of a surprising finding,” Gaede said...

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Ken Notes: We are causing stress and actual health issues because we do not want to address affordable workforce housing in Wisconsin. We will see more issues related to this until we develop communities that care for one another.

Milwaukee County supervisors reject McGovern Park redevelopment proposal

A controversial plan to build affordable housing in McGovern Park will not move forward

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County leaders have rejected a proposal to redevelop McGovern Park into affordable housing and a new senior community center.

The supervisors voted 10-7 to reject the proposal.
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Longtime resident Joyce Hailstock expressed her personal connection to the center and her fear of it closing.

"I don`t mean to get emotional, but just the thought of it brings tears to my eyes," said Hellstock, a retired educator, who described the center as a second home. "We`re seniors, you owe us this, we`ve given years of our lives to this city, leave us something to enjoy."...

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Leo’s notes (and update from past week’s mention:) Milwaukee County’s rejection of the McGovern Park redevelopment leaves seniors without a clear path forward. While community concerns about park preservation are valid, the urgent need for safe, accessible senior facilities remains unresolved. Without a viable alternative plan, the cost of inaction may be far greater—risking both public trust and the well-being of older residents.

Ken Notes: We could use a TIF like system to fund shared amenities in a development like, SENIOR CENTERS, Parks, day care etc...

Green Bay Housing Authority likes Monroe Plaza revamp plan but has management concerns

Monroe Plaza at 400 N. Monroe Ave. ? a downtown apartment complex that gives elderly and disabled residents a place to call home through federal Section 8 housing vouchers amidst a national housing crisis ? could be a California-based affordable housing developer`s first Wisconsin project.

SDG Housing Partners secured an initial commitment of up to $27.5 million in government bonds through the Green Bay Housing Authority after the authority liked its first look at renovation plans on June 19. The developer, once given the bond revenue, will be wholly responsible for paying the debt back, according to the initial resolution.

Key Points:

SDG Housing Partners, based in California, secured an initial $27.5 million resolution from the Green Bay Housing Authority. The final figure will almost certainly change.
The developer presented details of its renovation plan to the Green Bay Housing Authority on June 19.
Several housing authority members expressed concern over the choice of management company....

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Leo’s notes: Preserving Monroe Plaza as affordable, accessible housing for seniors and people with disabilities is a critical step for downtown Green Bay. While SDG’s renovation vision brings potential for much-needed upgrades and dignity in design, thoughtful oversight—especially around property management and resident protections—will be essential to ensuring long-term success for this vulnerable population...

Budget engagement session centers affordable, safe housing

The city of Madison’s next spending plan is still in its early stages. The process includes five community engagement sessions this month alone, where city staff and elected officials solicit public feedback. The last engagement session was held Tuesday evening at the Black Business Hub.

The meetings are a venue for members of the public to learn how the budget works, which is where City Finance Director Dave Schmiedicke comes in.

“When we talk about the city budget, they’re really planning documents,” Schmiedicke explained Tuesday. “They’re taking a look at how the dollars that come into the city will be spent each year.”...

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Leo’s notes: Madison’s budget is more than numbers—it’s a reflection of values and a chance to invest in equity, housing, and public trust. As community voices call for accountability and deeper inclusion, especially in affordable housing, the city has a responsibility to turn engagement into action. Transparent, people-centered budgeting must remain the priority.

Wisconsin Workforce Housing Resources

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

See dozens more here:

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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...

City of Madison highlights ideal criteria for affordable housing units

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Affordable housing within the City of Madison continues to be a focus area for many. While affordable can mean something different for everyone, the criteria for affordable housing units are generally the same.

The City of Madison has highlighted a number of housing goals to hit by 2030. This includes building 15,000 more homes within the next five years to keep up with the population growth. A quarter of those homes are slated to be affordable units.

Jaymes Langrehr, the PIO for the Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development, explained the location of these units can make or break the integrity of a complex.

“When we look at where we hope to see affordable housing placed in the city of Madison, we’re looking and hoping for areas that are well connected,” said Langrehr... ...Full Story Here

Leo’s notes: Madison’s push to add 15,000 homes by 2030—with a quarter dedicated as affordable—signals a necessary investment in housing equity. Prioritizing well-connected sites like Rise Madison Apartments shows that location and livability matter. As new proposals emerge, the City’s role in guiding smart, inclusive development will be key to meeting both population growth and community well-being. Great initiative to look as example in other cities throughout our State!

One of two Beloit apartment developments backed by city may not happen

BELOIT — One of the two multi-family housing developments that was to receive $3 million each from the City of Beloit to build affordable housing in the city is in limbo.

In May, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority announced that 27 developments in 13 counties would receive $36.6 million in housing tax credits in 2025 to offset the costs of building 1,731 affordable housing units.

To be eligible for the credit, the various developments had to pledge a certain percentage of the units will be set aside for below market rates for working-class families.

The Riverside Apartments by Madison’s Alternative Continuum of Care of Dakota Dunes and Lutheran Social Services, which proposed adding 55 units to the city, will receive $1.2 million in tax credits. Housing tax credits are a dollar-for-dollar reduction of federal income taxes owed by owners/investors in qualified projects...

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Leo’s notes: Beloit’s effort to boost affordable housing faces a setback as one of its two major projects loses out on critical tax credits. With $3 million in city incentives now in limbo, local leaders have a renewed opportunity—and responsibility—to ensure those dollars advance urgently needed housing solutions that serve working families and stabilize the local market.

Ken Notes: With so little partisan agreement in Madison and DC, now might be a good time to work on a bi-partisan workforce housing bill partnering with communities and employers to build housing projects that will solve a problem we all agree needs to be addressed.

Why Madison’s housing gatekeepers are getting uncomfortable

Advocates for increased density are part of a broad-based effort to correct inequities

In a recent column, Paul Fanlund, publisher of The Capital Times, laments the city of Madison’s push for increased housing density as yet another overreach by elected officials “quietly” changing the rules without proper deference to longtime homeowners. It’s not his first time criticizing the city’s evolving housing policy — and not the first time he’s doing so from the vantage point of Hill Farms, one of the most historically exclusionary neighborhoods in Madison.

Framing resistance to housing reform as concern for “public trust” or “zoning protections” reflects a longstanding rhetorical tradition in Madison — one that dresses exclusion in the language of procedural integrity. These arguments are not new; they have circulated for more than a century, most often from those who benefit most from regulatory systems designed to safeguard comfort and property values while obstructing broader inclusion...

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Ken Notes: Every new housing development or infill project should ask, "Where do the baristas live?". We must have communities and neighborhoods designed to house a variety of income levels. We have zoned ourselves into this problem now we must zone ourselves out of it. If you work in Wisconsin you should be able to live in Wisconsin.

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

WisconsinDevelopment.com

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...