DCEDC Picks Housing Study Partner, Launches Loan Program

The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) has contracted with Place Dynamics of New Berlin, Wisconsin, to complete a comprehensive housing study.

The study will provide a data-driven analysis of housing supply, demand, affordability, workforce needs and development opportunities across the county. The need for year-round workers, affordable housing, seasonal workforce housing, senior housing and market-rate housing will be taken into account along with the unique characteristics of Sturgeon Bay, Northern Door and Southern Door. 

Through research, stakeholder engagement and market analysis, Place Dynamics will identify barriers to housing development and provide actionable recommendations for potential partnerships, programs, investments and strategies. The completed study will serve as a roadmap to help address one of the county’s most pressing challenges – ensuring Door County has the housing options needed to support residents, attract talent and sustain future economic vitality...

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Leo's notes: Door County’s selected consultant will identify current and future housing needs, development barriers, and strategies to expand the county's housing supply. To really make an impact, the strongest local housing strategies should combine comprehensive planning with implementation tools—such as revolving loan funds, infrastructure financing, and development partnerships—that help translate studies into completed homes and utilize Wisconsin's new legislation supporting these needs. Door County's approach reflects a growing recognition across Wisconsin that sustained progress requires both a clear roadmap and the financial capacity to act on it.

Ken Notes: As a planner for the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission, I have done a number of these. The key to a good plan is not just identifying the problem (because WE KNOW the problem), the key is identifying solutions and creating opportunity for builders, developers, and investors to support building neighborhoods that embrace workforce housing. Also the State has recently passed five new laws to help with these goals. Leo and I would be glad to help...