...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

La Crosse - 8.10.2026 - Each year WHEDA offers a series of loans for housing development in the State. The links in this article will take you to the “Spring Programs” which have concluded -- but fear not a Fall Program is pending and WWHNews.com will make the links to the new programs available in a future issue. This data will give you a headstart for the next round of funding. We will also publish the winners for this round soon and I encourage you to take a look at the winning applications to get ideas for your community moving forward. For assistance, please contact Rebecca Giroux, Community and Economic Development Officer for WHEDA....   ...Full Story Here

Ken Notes: More details at the link...

Communities across the country are working to address a growing shortage of affordable housing, yet bringing these developments to life continues to present challenges. Rising construction costs, labor shortages, higher interest rates and more complex financing structures make projects more challenging to deliver than in years past.

While owners and developers can’t control many of the market forces affecting affordable housing, they can influence how projects are planned and delivered. In our experience, the most successful developments become affordable because project teams make smarter decisions before construction ever begins...

...One of the biggest misconceptions about affordable housing is that cost savings come from bidding and value engineering in the later stages of the design process. In reality, the greatest savings often come from bringing the construction team to the table much earlier...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo’s notes: As construction costs, labor shortages and financing pressures challenge workforce housing feasibility, this article brings forward the importance of decisions made before construction begins. Early collaboration, strategic procurement and thoughtful standardization can stretch limited housing dollars without sacrificing quality. Affordability should not mean building cheaper—it should mean designing and delivering housing more intelligently.

Ken notes: In my very first version of Wisconsin Workforce Housing News, now more than four years ago, I suggested that in order to build more affordable housing for working Wisconsin we would have to bring developers, contractors, planners, Architects, manufacturers, and elected officials all to the same table. Without this joint unified effort we will never be able to develop truly market rate affordable housing.

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: Strategically repurposing obsolete commercial space can simultaneously add housing, strengthen the tax base, and bring residents closer to jobs and existing infrastructure. The inclusion of workforce units is particularly important—ensuring public investment produces not just more downtown housing, but housing accessible to a broader range of working households...

The Common Council on Aug. 4 took the next step toward reshaping the city’s west side, recommending creation of a new Tax Incremental District – TID #12 – and expansion of three existing ones, TID #7, TID #9 and TID #10.

TID #12 would place six parcels totaling about 77 acres along Division Road, South Ridgeway Avenue and South Ridgeway Drive into a mixed-use district, financing infrastructure for 44 single-family lots, 11 duplexes and 34 storage units with optional living spaces. Thirty of the single-family lots on the Division Road portion are designated workforce housing.

In a separate motion, the council approved the final plat for that subdivision, developed by Jim Conard and Portside Builders...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: Sturgeon Bay’s proposed TID expansions would use infrastructure investment to unlock a diverse housing pipeline, including 30 workforce homes, duplexes and a 60-unit affordable development. The use of TIF can be particularly effective in helping to address the upfront infrastructure costs that often prevent attainable housing from penciling out.

BEAVER DAM — Beaver Dam officials are exploring new ways to encourage housing development after hearing from a housing expert who said expanding housing choices is critical to supporting the city’s workforce and long-term growth.

Jolena Presti, a managing director with Baker Tilly’s development and community advisory practice, presented to the Beaver Dam Common Council Monday evening about trends communities are using to increase housing supply and remove barriers to development.

Presti said a recent market study identified four common housing challenges facing Beaver Dam. Rental housing remains limited, with many apartment properties nearly full, leaving few options for new residents. Employers report that the lack of available housing is making it harder to recruit and retain workers. The city also faces a shortage of workforce housing — homes affordable to middle-income households that are not subsidized — while much of its existing housing stock is older and will require continued reinvestment.

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: Beaver Dam’s housing discussion reinforces that communities have more influence over workforce housing production than they may realize. While cities cannot control interest rates or construction costs, they can provide ready sites, predictable approvals, infrastructure and strong developer partnerships. In a competitive market, becoming easier to build can be an effective economic development strategy.

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	Tiny Timbers Neighborhood

   ...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...

BELOIT — Work officially started Wednesday on the first large-scale affordable housing development in Beloit in about 15 years, and the process of deciding who will be able to rent those units is going to start soon as well.

On Wednesday, officials from Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, the Alternative Continuum of Care of Madison, the City of Beloit, Rock County and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority gathered at the site of former Stateline Family YMCA to celebrate the beginning of the 55-unit Riverside Apartments.

The $14 million project at 1865 Riverside Drive will have 45 units set aside for families making 80% of the county median income...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo’s notes: Beloit’s 55-unit Riverside Apartments marks the city’s first large-scale affordable housing development in roughly 15 years, backed by unusually strong local and regional investment. While a major win, Beloit has produced far fewer homes than its housing study says are needed. Sustained partnerships and a repeatable development pipeline will be essential to meeting workforce demand.

BELOIT, Wis. — The Beloit City Council approved the sale of three city-owned lots to Habitat for Humanity Waukesha–Jefferson–Rock for $1, clearing the way for new affordable housing in the city’s Hackett neighborhood.

Habitat plans to build affordable single-family homes for local families on the following properties in Beloit’s Hackett neighborhood...

..City officials said the purchase builds on Habitat Waukesha–Jefferson–Rock’s momentum since it expanded into Rock County in 2025. They said it also reflects growing partnerships among local government, funders and businesses across the county.

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: Great to see another partnership developing more housing opportunities. The scale is modest, but the strategy is still significant: reducing land costs while investing in established neighborhoods can make workforce housing more feasible...

MARSHFIELD — After searching for a suitable location for six years, ENC Inc. (“Everyone Needs a Community”) is moving forward with plans to build an affordable housing development designed to serve seniors, autistic adults and others while fostering community engagement.

“We’ve been on this site search for six years, and we’ve had a few that fell through for various reasons,” said Kathleen Meyer, president of the nonprofit. “Once this one came up, we knew this would work well.”

The organization recently purchased approximately 20 acres of land beyond the Marshfield High School tennis courts on North Hume Avenue...

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: Marshfield’s proposed 40-unit development broadens the workforce housing conversation by addressing seniors, autistic adults and community connection within one project. As communities plan for an aging population, preserving attainable housing for older residents can also free up existing homes for younger workers and families. It’s inspiring to see ENC expand their offerings by providing options for every stage of life...

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) — Southeast Green Bay is getting a brand-new food innovation center, with the team breaking ground today.

   ...Full Story Here

Leo's notes: Green Bay’s new food innovation center brings workforce training, agricultural education and 90 workforce housing units together in one development. Integrating housing directly into workforce investments is the kind of coordinated approach communities should pursue.

Ken Notes: I love the community / village approach to housing!

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...