New Habitat for Humanity house to be completed in Janesville

JANESVILLE — Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha, Jefferson and Rock counties will soon complete construction on one of four single-family homes built in Janesville this fiscal year. The organization’s expansion into Rock County comes alongside a shift in city policy that will allow nonprofits to apply for aid from the city’s affordable housing fund.

The first of the homes, located on S. Osborne Ave., is 1,421 square feet with three bedrooms and one and a half baths. The remaining three homes will also have 3 BR/1.5 BA, but will be located across the street from the Janesville Performing Arts Center downtown. Construction on those houses has not yet begun.

The expansion is part of the nonprofit’s strategic goal to build 20 new homes, engage three communities annually and complete 30 home repairs by 2033.

Melissa Songco, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Waukesha — Jefferson — Rock said the organization is well on its way to meeting this goal, with 19 new homes scheduled to be closed by the end of the fiscal year in June 2027...

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Leo's notes: While a single home won’t solve Wisconsin’s housing shortage, these projects create lasting wealth-building opportunities and strengthen neighborhood stability. Expanding pathways to ownership remains an essential part of a balanced workforce housing strategy.

Ken Notes: We need to look at using a Habitat like model in conjunction with Wisconsin's new TIF statute to create new "neighborhoods" for smaller homes that support workforce housing.