Beaver Dam looks at new strategies to meet housing needs

BEAVER DAM — Beaver Dam officials are exploring new ways to encourage housing development after hearing from a housing expert who said expanding housing choices is critical to supporting the city’s workforce and long-term growth.

Jolena Presti, a managing director with Baker Tilly’s development and community advisory practice, presented to the Beaver Dam Common Council Monday evening about trends communities are using to increase housing supply and remove barriers to development.

Presti said a recent market study identified four common housing challenges facing Beaver Dam. Rental housing remains limited, with many apartment properties nearly full, leaving few options for new residents. Employers report that the lack of available housing is making it harder to recruit and retain workers. The city also faces a shortage of workforce housing — homes affordable to middle-income households that are not subsidized — while much of its existing housing stock is older and will require continued reinvestment.

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Leo's notes: Beaver Dam’s housing discussion reinforces that communities have more influence over workforce housing production than they may realize. While cities cannot control interest rates or construction costs, they can provide ready sites, predictable approvals, infrastructure and strong developer partnerships. In a competitive market, becoming easier to build can be an effective economic development strategy.