Plan to update the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin State Assembly held its first session of 2026 [Tuesday] and passed a series of resolutions and bills, including a proposal by State Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) to update the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program (LIHTC).

“LIHTC is an important tool for encouraging investment in low-to-moderate-income housing, which Wisconsin desperately needs, in rural areas as well as big cities,” Representative Armstrong explained. “Today’s bill, Assembly Bill 182, requires the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) to set aside at least 35% of its annual LIHTC allocations for qualified projects in rural areas.  Current law does require WHEDA to give preference to projects in ‘smaller communities’, but the definition it uses covers cities like Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, and Appleton – not what most people think of when they think ‘smaller’, unless you live in Milwaukee or Madison!  AB 182, on the other hand, makes sure truly small, rural towns aren’t overlooked.”...