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Ken Harwood

Advocating for Wisconsin

HarwoodKen [at] gmail.com

Cell 608.334.2174

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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers won`t run for re-election in 2026

The 73-year-old Democrat`s decision not to seek a third term will set off a wide-open race to replace him in the closely divided battleground state.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday he won’t run for re-election next year, a move that will set off a wide-open race to replace him in one of the nation’s most closely divided battleground states.

In a video posted to X, Evers, 73, a Democrat, said he would not seek a third term so he could spend more time with his family, while also predicting he would have won had he run.

"For five decades, my family has sacrificed to give me the gift of service. They’re my world, and I owe it to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together. It’s why, Wisconsin, I’m announcing that I will not be running for a third term," he said. "I`m humbled to be your governor. This is the best job I ever had."...

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Ken Notes: First thank you Governor Evers all you have done and will do.

As housing advocates I believe we should put together a Housing Agenda for Wisconsin and seek candidates on both sides of the isle that will support Housing for ALL in Wisconsin. Wisconsin could become a model for building neighborhoods, creating affordable workforce housing for Baristas near CEO`s, bipartisan support for the people of Wisconsin, innovative construction and design, creating new community amenities, best use of new and existing infrastructure, and so much more.

How a Madison doctor is trying to help others find affordable housing

When Christina Henderson was a medical student in 2022, she found herself flying across the country to complete a required rotation at Duke University in North Carolina.

The logistics were challenging. Without a car and clear support to find short-term housing, Henderson ended up in a Craigslist rental as her last resort. Then one night, Henderson said, she awoke to a cockroach crawling across her stomach.

“I was kind of trapped there for the month,” she said. “I was like, ‘OK, well, I have nowhere to go because I have no housing.’”

Henderson brushed off the experience, hoping it was a fluke. But after matching into residency at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, she overheard a medical student lamenting about their housing struggles and something clicked.

“The lightbulb went off in my head,” Henderson said. “I realized I think this is a nationwide issue and then really started to look into it from there.”

The moment inspired Reliable Residence, a startup aimed at supporting short-term and traveling health care professionals and students in Madison with fully furnished housing. Henderson and Tyler Henry, her co-founder and chief financial officer, launched the business as an LLC this year....

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Leo’s notes: Reliable Residence is meeting a critical need at the intersection of health care and housing. As Madison’s tight rental market strains access to short-term housing, this homegrown effort provides a lifeline for medical professionals who keep our hospitals running. Supporting workforce housing solutions like this isn`t just good policy—it’s essential infrastructure for a healthy, functioning community.

County Exec, Governor Celebrate New Affordable Housing Development

MILWAUKEE - Dignitaries from across Milwaukee County, and the state, descended on Brown Deer Thursday to cut the ribbon on a new affordable, supportive housing building.

The 56-unit Woodale Crossing building will provide affordable housing, counseling and supportive services for residents. The project will provide housing to individuals with disabilities or and or mental illness, and 25%, or 14 units, will be set aside for seniors with disabilities that are experiencing homelessness.

The new housing, 4110 W. Woodale Ave., was developed by Jewish Family Services (JFS), a nonprofit social services agency that has extensive experience developing and managing supportive housing. The project was developed, in part, with funding from Milwaukee County and the State of Wisconsin....

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Leo’s notes: Woodale Crossing is a shining example of what’s possible when public, private, and nonprofit partners come together with purpose. This supportive, affordable housing not only meets critical needs for seniors and individuals with disabilities—it also sets a high standard for dignity, inclusion, and long-term community impact. As housing challenges persist, we need more projects like this across Milwaukee County.

Wisconsin Motel Reopens as Apartments

NOAH developments play a key role in addressing housing needs, according to the developer.

A troubled Super 8 motel has been transformed into 129 apartments in Madison, Wisconsin.

The motel was in rough shape and had a lot of crime and policy activity over the years, plaguing the surrounding residential neighborhood, according to local reports.

Wiseman Capital recently acquired the building, gutted it to its bones, and reconstructed it into the Sandburg Studios with apartments ranging in size from 277 to 340 square feet, with some units coming furnished. Rents are between about $975 and $1,125 per month. In comparison, the overall average rent in Madison is about $1,695, with studios averaging about $1,250, reports Zillow...

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Leo’s notes: As communities seek solutions beyond traditional affordable housing programs, Sandburg Studios shows what`s possible when local developers are empowered to repurpose underutilized buildings. These units may not be government-subsidized, but they are mission-critical—proof that public and private housing strategies must work hand-in-hand to fill every gap in the housing ladder. We need more local innovation like this—combined with zoning flexibility, reduced red tape, and financial tools that reward reinvestment in our neighborhoods.

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...

McShane Construction Selected to Build 76-unit Affordable Housing Project Kelly Station in Madison

McShane Construction Company’s Wisconsin regional team was selected by Volker Development to build Kelly Station, a 76-unit affordable housing residence in Madison, Wisconsin.

“We’re proud to partner with Volker on Kelly Station,” commented Alison Gorham, Vice President & Director of Wisconsin Operations at McShane. “This development not only brings much-needed affordable housing to Madison, but also incorporates thoughtful design, modern amenities, and green building practices that will benefit residents and the surrounding community for years to come.”

Volker is a development and property management company focused on providing affordable and workforce housing options nationwide. Based in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, this project will be Volker’s first new construction project in Dane County, and their 27th in the state of Wisconsin...

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Leo’s notes: Kelly Station is a strong step toward addressing Madison’s growing need for affordable, accessible housing. Backed by public-private collaboration and WHEDA’s support, this project prioritizes both sustainability and equity—proving that affordable housing can be high-quality, community-oriented, and rooted in long-term impact. It`s the kind of development housing advocates have long pushed for—and one we need more of across Wisconsin...

Habitat for Humanity buys Madison College land in Watertown for affordable housing project

12 families will move in to the development in southern Wisconsin`s `MadWaukee` corridor

Land near the Madison College campus in Watertown will soon be home to an affordable housing project.

This summer, Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha & Jefferson Counties bought 0.8 acres from the technical college for $116,800. The property will be used to build six duplexes.

The $3.3 million project is set to break ground this fall so that 12 families can move in during 2026.

The project is situated in a key “MadWaukee” corridor, halfway between Madison and Milwaukee, said Sue Vock, the director of marketing and development for the local Habitat for Humanity group...

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Leo’s notes: Habitat for Humanity’s new 12-home development in Watertown is more than housing—it’s a blueprint for generational change. By creating stable, affordable homeownership opportunities for families earning 30–80% of the area median income, this project builds community, equity, and a pathway to long-term economic resilience. Volunteer labor, local partnerships, and homes priced for real working families!

Affordable housing project planned near Rockwell Automation in Milwaukee

An affordable housing project could rise in the shadow of the Rockwell Automation headquarters in Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Common Council will decide on a zoning change for 1435 S. 1st St. in the Walker’s Point neighborhood. Kenosha-based Bear Development submitted a request to rezone the site from industrial mixed to allow multi-family residential development, a spokesperson for the city of Milwaukee Department of City Development said.

The proposed development will include 69 units of mixed-income housing that would be partially financed by housing tax credits through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the spokesperson added.

Bear is planning a five-story building with 69 units with a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, said Steven Rosandich, an associate project manager at Bear Development, in an email. The developer hopes to be ready to start construction in the second quarter of 2026.

THE BLUEPRINT:

Bear Development plans 69 mixed-income housing units in Walker’s Point.
The developer requested a zoning change for the site.
The project will target households earning 60% of area median income.
Construction could begin in 2026 with WHEDA tax support.

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Leo’s notes: With rents rising and vacancy rates low, we must support projects like this that serve families earning around 60% of the area median income. The proposed zoning change at 1435 S. 1st Street isn’t just about buildings—it’s about creating housing access and community stability in one of Wilwaukee`s most dynamic neighborhoods.

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...