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As residents grapple with rising rents and a shortage of available homes for purchase, housing has become a central theme in Wisconsin’s 2026 race for governor.

Wisconsin will need to build at least 84,000 new housing units to address the state’s housing shortage, according to a study this year by Forward Analytics, the nonpartisan research outlet for the Wisconsin Counties Association. The group called that figure a “low-end estimate,” though it’s down from the group’s previous estimate in 2023 because of a decline in the state’s working-age population.

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Leo's notes: While approaches differ, most candidates acknowledge that Wisconsin faces a significant housing shortage that is driving up both home prices and rents. The emerging consensus among candidates seems clear: Wisconsin's housing challenges can no longer be viewed as a local issue alone. Whether the proposed solutions focus on financing, zoning reform, infrastructure investment, or homeownership assistance, the discussion reflects growing recognition that housing affordability is fundamentally tied to workforce development, economic competitiveness, and population growth. The most effective long-term strategies will likely be those that expand housing supply across multiple price points while helping communities overcome the infrastructure and regulatory barriers that often prevent new housing from being built.

Ken Notes: Some of the housing "markets" are already being addressed and do not need help. Higher end homes (say those over 400K) are doing well and do not need incentives. Federal programs are in place for subsidized lower income housing. The housing problem is then more focused on market rate affordable homes from both a price point (i.e. 200K to 400K) and type of units (missing middle). If we focus on this gap in the market we will find the rest of it will be OK. I was also disappointed not to see homeowner equity addressed by any of the candidates.

Housing has been on my mind a lot this past month, so let's talk about it.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to be interviewed on Wisconsin Public Radio about housing and development in Ellsworth*. It's a topic that comes up often at Village Board meetings, Community Summits, Plan Commission meetings, and even casual conversations around town. And for good reason.

Housing is one of the most significant challenges facing communities across Wisconsin, large and small, and Ellsworth is no exception...

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Leo's notes: In an era where workforce shortages and housing shortages are increasingly intertwined, local leadership and a willingness to remove barriers can be just as important as financial incentives in moving projects from concept to construction.

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 Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) announced that the Columbia Corners apartment project, which calls for constructing a 60-unit building for affordable housing on a vacant lot at South Columbia Avenue and Green Bay Road in Sturgeon Bay, has been awarded $1.3 million in low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) for 2026.

Gorman and Company wants to construct the mixed-income building targeting families earning between 30-80% of the area median income, with LIHTC through WHEDA as the primary financing.

The Common Council last December committed $250,000 from the city’s affordable housing reserve funds to the project, contingent on it securing the tax credits...

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Leo's notes: The project reflects a growing partnership between local governments and developers to address Door County’s persistent workforce housing shortage through public incentives and state housing programs. The LIHTC award from WHEDA highlights the importance of housing tax credits as one of the few tools capable of making affordable housing financially feasible in high-cost markets like Door County. Equally important is the role of local government partnership—from land contributions to development support—which can significantly improve a project's competitiveness for state funding.

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...