Local organizations launch first La Crosse Housing Week

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region and other local organizations are hosting the first La Crosse Housing Week. It will offer a series of events and gatherings for community members to learn about local housing issues.

Natalie Heneghan with Habitat for Humanity says they wanted to create La Crosse Housing Week because the city needs more affordable housing.

“For too long the wages in our community have not kept up with the cost of housing, the cost to build housing, and the lost of land and construction. We really want to draw attention to this issue and invite members of the public into this conversation. It shouldn’t just be housing advocates and organizations talking about housing. Housing affects every single person in our community. We want to invite more people into the conversation to shape a better La Crosse,” says Heneghan.

Part of the housing week involves a missing middle housing tour, which allows people to take a closer look at places with multiple housing units on the same lot. Heneghan says modern zoning codes have made housing options like this less available...

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Leo’s note: La Crosse Housing Week sparks the kind of conversations we need to build a future where everyone—regardless of income—can afford to live, work, and thrive in our community. I had the pleasure to attend a few of their events and was excited to see homeowners, developers, city staff, and many key stakeholders rally around improving availability and affordability of homes.