County announces $1 million in housing grants

Last week, Dane County Executive Melissa Agard announced $1 million in grant funds will be released to accelerate housing development and help address the county’s housing crisis. Interested municipalities can use the funds to update their zoning codes, permitting processes, and internal procedures.

“Regulatory barriers can drive up housing costs and restrict the supply of homes and the range of housing options available.” Agard said. “Through the CDBG PRO Housing grant program, our participating municipalities will have a chance to review their local zoning, permitting, and internal procedures—and make important reforms to remove barriers and support more housing.”...

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Leo’s notes: Dane County’s $1 million PRO Housing grant program targets a key barrier to workforce housing: local regulations that slow or limit development. By helping municipalities modernize zoning and permitting systems, the initiative focuses on structural reforms that expand supply across the region. Streamlining local rules is emerging as one of the most effective housing tools