Local and state leaders discuss affordable housing issues in Chippewa Valley

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - Local and state leaders gathered in Altoona to talk about a new model that looks to solve the affordable housing issue in the Chippewa Valley.

Representative Jodi Emerson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley were joined by members of the JONAH Housing Task Force and the Altoona city council. They met at Solis Circle for a roundtable discussion about the importance of creating more affordable housing units similar to Solis Circle.

The development used to be a nursing home until six years ago when it was renovated into a `Micro-apartment.`

Emerson is an advocate for affordable housing at the state level and said she is proud of the solution in Altoona.

"Any time I`ve got that opportunity to show off this development and talk about other places that are happening in the Chippewa Valley I`m always grateful to bring this in," said Emerson...

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Leo’s notes: The Solis Circle micro-apartment model in Altoona is a powerful example of how creative redevelopment can meet urgent housing needs. By converting a former nursing home into 24 affordable units at $400–600/month, the project demonstrates how existing buildings can be repurposed into dignified, attainable housing. With a waitlist already in place, this model is proof that Wisconsin needs more adaptive reuse projects like Solis Circle to expand affordability and stability across the state...