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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

A Senate-passed package takes aim at Wall Street landlords — but one provision is drawing scrutiny from builders who say central Wisconsin can’t afford to lose any housing investment.

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Leo's notes: Despite federal momentum behind the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, local leaders in Wausau point to persistent shortages in entry-level homes, workforce rentals, and “missing middle” housing, all driven by rising construction costs, financing gaps, and regulatory delays. As I’ve mentioned before, it is supply—not speculation—that continues to constraint most of our Wisconsin communities (Midwest markets too!). While limiting institutional investors may resonate politically, communities like Wausau will see the greatest impact from policies that reduce barriers to building, unlock financing, and enable attainable housing at scale...

Madison is set for a major boost to its affordable housing supply on lands formerly belonging to Oscar Mayer.

The six-story Victoria at Huxley Yards — a 250-unit senior living complex with one- and two-bedroom apartments — is fully leased with most of its residents set to move in April 1. The View at Huxley Yards, a 303-apartment building with units ranging from one- through four-bedrooms, saw its first residents move in last week.

Both complexes are rent-restricted for residents making 50-70% of the area median income of roughly $90,000 for an individual or $130,000 for a family of four, according to Abby Thomas, regional manager at Seldin Co., the Omaha-based firm that manages both properties. Interest in both facilities has been high, with the company fielding around 150 inquiries a week from prospective residents, Thomas said...

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Leo's notes: The Victoria (250 senior units) and The View (303 family-oriented units) are fully or rapidly leasing, serving households earning 50–70% of area median income, with additional deeply affordable units planned in a future phase. For communities facing persistent shortages, this model shows how underutilized sites can be repositioned into high-impact housing assets that serve seniors, families and the workforce alike.

Why the American Dream is becoming impossible in Wisconsin

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson declares 2026 the 'year of housing' in his State of the City address

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Ken Notes: We may have mentioned this -- in fact weekly for the last five years. We need to address this as a community by working together...

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...

The city of La Crosse is beginning a new push to incentivize the construction of family homes.

The city’s Economic & Community Development Commission unanimously passed a policy outline for the Housing Incentive Fund, which would dedicate millions to building housing geared toward families and homeowners.

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Leo's notes: La Crosse is taking a notable step to rebalance its housing strategy, advancing a new Housing Incentive Fund aimed at supporting single-family and “missing middle” development. Backed by roughly $1.5–$2 million, the program signals a shift from a rental-heavy pipeline toward homeownership opportunities — particularly for families. If structured well, targeted incentives like this can help close the feasibility gap for builders and reintroduce the kinds of housing — duplexes, triplexes, starter homes — that are essential for long-term community stability and generational wealth.

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Housing affordability in Wisconsin could be improving despite continued price increases and low inventory, according to a new real estate report from the Wisconsin Realtors Association.

The report shows home sales decreased 1.2% in February while prices continued to climb. According to the WRA, the median home price in western Wisconsin was $317,000.

In February, mortgage rates were lower and the number of listings increased, suggesting conditions may be shifting in favor of buyers.

"With the inventory low, you typically see competing offers and the competing offers tend to push prices higher. Whereas if we have more houses and less competition for those houses, obviously the prices will stabilize," said Mike Pietrek, former president of the La Crosse Area Realtors Association...

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Leo's notes: Even with a shift toward more listings and potential reduction in bidding pressure and slow price escalation, this "market relief” still isn’t helping with the needed structural change. Improved inventory may help buyers at the margins, but affordability will remain constrained until supply meaningfully expands — particularly in entry-level and workforce price ranges where demand continues to far outpace available homes...

Real estate developers, investors, and community leaders have a unique opportunity in the coming months to ensure that state officials appropriately designate low-income census tracts that will most benefit from investment dollars related to the federal Opportunity Zone program.

Since the enactment of the program in 2017, Qualified Opportunity Zones across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories have attracted significant private investment, fueling housing development, job creation and economic revitalization in underserved communities.

With the current Opportunity Zone program set to sunset as of Dec. 31, 2026, recently enacted legislation expands and makes permanent Opportunity Zone tax benefits for investments made on or after Jan. 1, 2027, into newly designated Qualified Opportunity Zones.

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Leo's notes: Recent updates to the Opportunity Zone Program — including rolling tax deferrals and enhanced incentives for rural areas — could make it an even more powerful tool for financing affordable and workforce housing after 2026. Another critical moment to act upon is here, as Opportunity Zones mapping will directly shape where capital flows for the next decade. If aligned intentionally, the program can help unlock housing in communities that are both underserved and development-ready — but without that alignment, it risks missing the areas that need it most.

Closure came amid more than $2M deficit, calls from lawmakers for investigation into taxpayer funds

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Ken Notes: One more reason we need a new model to allow for actually affordable homes not subsidized homes. There are a number of nonprofits operating from grant to grant...

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...