Madison unveils twin homes in affordable housing push

MADISON, Wis. — City leaders gathered in the Owl Creek neighborhood to celebrate a new set of permanently affordable twin homes, marking progress in Madison`s push to build more "missing middle" housing like duplexes and townhomes.

The city sold the land to the Madison Area Community Land Trust for just $1 and tapped its affordable housing fund to transform empty lots into homes designed for first-time homebuyers.

"We need folks to be able to buy a home and to be able to create generational wealth through the appreciating value of that home, but we really need people to be able to buy that first home," said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.

For new homeowner Ariel Christian, the program made homeownership possible after years of renting. "After learning about MACLT and the generous down payment assistance from the city, we could actually buy a house and build equity. It`s incredible," Christian said.

The new homeowners moved into their properties just after Christmas, calling it the best gift after eight years of renting in Madison. The twin homes provide an opportunity for working families to build equity and establish roots in the community...

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Leo`s notes: Madison’s Owl Creek project is a reminder that solving the housing crisis isn’t only about building more units — it’s about building the right kinds of homes. By turning vacant city-owned lots into permanently affordable duplex-style homes, the city and the MACLT are creating real pathways to first-time home-ownership, equity-building, and long-term neighborhood stability.