Wisconsin Workforce Housing News
Ken Harwood
Advocating for Wisconsin
HarwoodKen [at] gmail.com
Cell 608.334.2174
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Leonardo Silva Architect
Leonardo Silva Architecture is a La Crosse based studio practice focused on timeless design solutions and sustainable practices; for homeowners, builders and contractors alike.
This Weeks Articles for 6/2/2025 ...
- Milwaukee wants more mid-tier housing. Here`s an approach from two other Midwestern cities...
- Three Milwaukee Affordable Housing Proposals Win State Funding...
- Developers get creative to solve Madison housing crisis...
- Construction Begins on Aurora Place, a 40-Unit Affordable Housing Project in Washburn, WI...
- Wisconsin municipalities hope online directory will help people find affordable housing...
- Lincoln Avenue Communities Hosts Grand Opening Ceremony for Affordable Housing Complex in Lac Du Flambeau ...
- Seven projects in southeastern Wisconsin awarded affordable housing tax credits ...
- Madison hotel with chronic police calls reopens as a studio apartment building...
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
Milwaukee wants more mid-tier housing. Here`s an approach from two other Midwestern cities
As Milwaukee encourages more middle-tier housing construction, two other Midwestern cities could provide lessons to get it done. Green Bay is helping finance “workforce housing” — targeting people earning 80% to 120% of the area median income. Meanwhile, Des Moines, Iowa, provides tax benefits to developers of “missing middle” buildings — those with two to 12 apartments or condos. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s administration and the Common Council have taken steps this spring to create more workforce housing and missing middle buildings. Developers say those efforts do too little, while some residents say they’re too favorable to absentee landlords.
Milwaukee’s approach includes financing help
The mayor’s Department of City Development on April 22 announced new guidelines on city help for workforce housing through tax incremental financing districts.
That policy centers on using property tax revenue generated by new apartment buildings to help finance those developments. The rents must be affordable to people earning up to 100% of the Milwaukee area median income — $77,500 for an individual, or $110,700 for a family of four.
The guidelines call for developers to make up front investments and then obtain city funds through annual property tax payments generated over several years by the new buildings.
Developers want the city to provide cash up front, with the firms paying that back through the annual payments. That’s a sticking point between the Johnson administration and developers and some Common Council members — who say the mayor’s approach provides little help...
...Full Story HereMilwaukee’s approach includes financing help
The mayor’s Department of City Development on April 22 announced new guidelines on city help for workforce housing through tax incremental financing districts.
That policy centers on using property tax revenue generated by new apartment buildings to help finance those developments. The rents must be affordable to people earning up to 100% of the Milwaukee area median income — $77,500 for an individual, or $110,700 for a family of four.
The guidelines call for developers to make up front investments and then obtain city funds through annual property tax payments generated over several years by the new buildings.
Developers want the city to provide cash up front, with the firms paying that back through the annual payments. That’s a sticking point between the Johnson administration and developers and some Common Council members — who say the mayor’s approach provides little help...
Leo`s notes: Milwaukee has the right ideas, but Green Bay and Des Moines show that bold action—upfront funding, smart incentives, and risk-taking—makes the difference. If Milwaukee wants more homes for workers and families, it’s time to move faster and invest smarter. Let’s turn talk into homes.
Three Milwaukee Affordable Housing Proposals Win State Funding
The State of Wisconsin is giving the green light to three proposed affordable housing projects in Milwaukee.
The funding commitments are part of 27 awards being made across the state by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
Each of the projects is receiving an allocation of low-income housing tax credits, the most commonly used affordable housing tool in Wisconsin, through WHEDA’s annual competitive funding allocation.
“We were able to fund nearly all applications for tax credits this year, helping to build affordable housing for even more people in Wisconsin,” said WHEDA CEO and Executive Director Elmer Moore Jr. in a statement. “Housing tax credits are one of the most critical tools developers can use to build a strong inventory of safe, affordable housing for people to call home.”
The winning Milwaukee projects are a new building at Midtown Center, new senior apartments in Bay View and a redevelopment of the building used for the Milwaukee County City Campus offices (and formerly Doctor’s Hospital)...
...Full Story HereLeo`s notes: Milwaukee’s affordable housing wins are worth celebrating—three projects adding 324 new homes is no small feat. But these victories also spotlight a deeper challenge: speed. Too many projects stall or fade, weighed down by process and uncertainty. If we want to keep pace with Wisconsin’s growing housing needs, we must sharpen our tools, streamline approvals, and support developers who are ready to build. Let’s applaud this progress—while pushing for more.
Developers get creative to solve Madison housing crisis
MADISON, Wis. — Madison has an urgent need for affordable housing. The city has one of the lowest rental vacancy rates in the U.S., according to a 2024 report on housing supply and affordability.
What You Need To Know
- Developers and real estate investors, such as Cody Wiseman of
Wiseman Capital, are getting creative to come up with housing solutions
- Wiseman’s latest project converted a Super 8 motel on Madison’s east
side into 129 units of affordable housing called Sandburg Studios
- The motel rooms were transformed into studio apartments
- The city is working towards a goal of creating 15,000 new homes by
2030. At least 25% of those homes will be designated as affordable
housing, below market rates, for lower income residents
That low supply of housing is magnified by the city’s growing population and rising cost of living.
Developers and real estate investors, such as Cody Wiseman of Wiseman Capital, are getting creative to come up with solutions.
Wiseman’s latest project converted a Super 8 motel on Madison’s east side into 129 units of affordable housing called Sandburg Studios. The motel rooms were transformed into studio apartments. The property also offers a pool, fitness center, laundry, dog park and co-working lounge. Monthly rent starts at $1,075...
...Full Story HereDevelopers and real estate investors, such as Cody Wiseman of Wiseman Capital, are getting creative to come up with solutions.
Wiseman’s latest project converted a Super 8 motel on Madison’s east side into 129 units of affordable housing called Sandburg Studios. The motel rooms were transformed into studio apartments. The property also offers a pool, fitness center, laundry, dog park and co-working lounge. Monthly rent starts at $1,075...
Leo`s notes: Sandburg Studios in Madison is a bold example of how creative, private solutions can fill critical housing gaps—without waiting for public funding. Repurposing commercial spaces like motels won’t solve the crisis alone, but it’s the kind of out-of-the-box thinking we need to match our growing housing demand. The lesson is clear: flexibility, speed, and an openness to adaptive reuse can unlock housing opportunities in every community...
Wisconsin Workforce Housing Resources
...Full Story Here
Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
Nate Notes: to be included as a Workforce Housing resource email us a link and a brief note to: wwhnews.com@gmail.com...
Construction Begins on Aurora Place, a 40-Unit Affordable Housing Project in Washburn, WI
Upon completion, Aurora Place will include a community-building and high-quality, cottage-style homes thoughtfully designed to support community connection, sustainability, and long-term affordability. Leasing is expected to begin in late 2025, with Impact Management Group providing property management services.... ...Full Story Here
Leo’s notes: The groundbreaking of Aurora Place marks a milestone for affordable housing in Washburn. With 40 new homes for workforce families and seniors, this project shows how strong partnerships and community vision can create lasting impact. Aurora Place is more than homes—it’s a promise of stability, opportunity, and a thriving local future...
Wisconsin municipalities hope online directory will help people find affordable housing
Some municipalities in Wisconsin are partnering with a company that creates an online directory to help connect people to affordable housing.
The city of Kenosha was the first municipality to work with CityWise — a Milwaukee-based startup company. The company created a subdomain on the official city website in October that allows renters to search for affordable and subsidized housing in the city for free.
Users can access a tool on the directory to find what subsidies they may be eligible for and they can search for properties that accept Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Section 8 vouchers. The listings also include any municipal code violations for the properties...
Kenosha System
...Full Story Here
Ken Notes: Another listing service but with the affordable housing twist. It will require adoption by communities but the Kenosha system seem robust...
Lincoln Avenue Communities Hosts Grand Opening Ceremony for Affordable Housing Complex in Lac Du Flambeau
LAC DU FLAMBEAU, Wis., May 27, 2025
/PRNewswire/ -- Lincoln Avenue Communities (LAC), a mission-driven
acquirer and developer of affordable housing, hosted a grand opening
ceremony this week for Forest Edge Apartments, a 40-unit,
townhouse-style affordable housing development in Lac du Flambeau."We are proud to partner with Cinnaire Solutions and Wisconsin Management Company to bring high-quality, affordable housing to the heart of the Wisconsin Northwoods," said Kevin McDonell, LAC Vice President and Regional Project Partner. "Forest Edge Apartments will support the local economy by giving workers and families a place to call home."
Forest Edge Apartments features a mix of two- and three-bedroom homes with energy-efficient appliances, large closets, and complimentary internet packages for residents. The majority of units will be leased to those earning between 30 and 60% of the area median income (AMI), with 8 units reserved for residents with disabilities via Section 811 Housing Vouchers. Communal amenities include a fitness center, community room, business and meeting center, and a parcel room for package delivery. A significant portion of the property`s energy consumption will be offset by solar panels installed on each building...
...Full Story HereLeo`s Notes: Another Cinnaire lending project in the news! Forest Edge Apartments is a 40-unit development in Lac du Flambeau that provides energy-efficient townhomes, accessible amenities, and community connection—helping families and workers stay rooted in the heart of Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Projects like these showcase design solutions specific to the community and the importance of partnerships between seasoned developers, experienced lending institutions, and local stakeholders.
Seven projects in southeastern Wisconsin awarded affordable housing tax credits
Seven apartment projects in southeast Wisconsin totaling 657 affordable
apartment units have been awarded low-income housing tax credits by the
State of Wisconsin. The projects are among 27 statewide that received
tax credits, according to a Friday announcement from the Wisconsin
Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). Two different grant programs exist. One provides a 9% federal tax credit and the other provides a 4% federal and 4% state income tax credit. WHEDA administers both programs... ...Full Story HereArticle behind paywall, sorry!
Madison hotel with chronic police calls reopens as a studio apartment building
The dilapidated Super 8 on Madison’s Far East Side is no more. Gutted and reassembled over the past year, the 37-year-old former motel is days away from reopening as a low-cost studio apartment building.
“The studs stayed,” said Cody Wiseman, the company’s founder and CEO. “The bones are good.”
Almost everything else is new, he said. Drywall. Windows. Doors. Plumbing. Wiring. And roofing, which was replaced in brown — matching the freshly installed brown-and-white siding — instead of the old green...
...Now called Sandburg Studios, the building has 129 units varying in
size from 277 to 340 square feet, available starting in June for
between $975 and $1,125 per month with a 12-month lease. Shorter-term
and month-to-month leases are available at higher rental rates. Some
of the units are furnished...
...Full Story HereKen Notes: (Paywall, Sorry. Try the link in the article) Still pricey for small units but if the tenants keep it nice it could be something special. Marketing is nice check out the link...
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.
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
608.334.2174
harwoodken[at]gmail.com
List of Housing Resources
State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF) Program
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
DANE WORKFORCE HOUSING FUND
Dane County Regional Housing Strategy (RHS)
A Housing Hurdle: Demographics Drive Need for More Homes
Wisconsin Homeowners Alliance
WRA’s “Falling Behind” report
Social Development Commission - Pathway to success
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
Middleton Workforce Housing Committe
Milwaukee’s Collective Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
Workforce Housing Initiative For Wisconsin
2020 Symposia Series on Workforce Housing
Wisconsin Homeowners Alliance.org/resources/
City of Milwaukee Affordability Report
WHEDA Qualified Allocation Plan
10-Year Plan to End Homelessness
City of Milwaukee Consolidated Plan
Wisconsin Consolidated Plan
SEWRPC Regional Housing Plan
Wisconsin Policy Forum Reports
Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights
White House Fact Sheet on Rental Affordability
Community Economic Development / Division of Extension
Oshkosh Kids Foundation Tiny House Village
WWHNEWS Notes: To add a resource or correct above send data and link to wwhnews.com[at]gmail.com...