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Community Updates, News Stories, Best Practices, Resources, and other data supporting the development of affordable housing for the citizens of Wisconsin in every city and region in the State. Please consider partnering with us and sharing your story

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Leo’s notes: Workforce housing remains one of the most pressing challenges for Wisconsin communities. The state’s latest $2.5 million investment is a strong step forward—helping create new housing opportunities that support workers, attract talent, and strengthen local economies. Continued momentum will be key to meeting demand statewide.

RICE LAKE, WI — Governor Tony Evers and Elmer Moore Jr., chief executive officer and executive director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), visited Hayward, Wisconsin, on June 16 to tour the future site of Trailview Cottages. The visit also included a roundtable discussion with local and regional leaders about the scope and potential impact of the development.

Trailview Cottages is a 40-unit multifamily workforce housing community being developed through a partnership between Northwood Technical College and IMPACT Seven. Supported by the Housing Opportunity and Mobile Education Solutions (HOMES) Workforce Innovation Grant, the project is located on a 15-acre parcel at the corner of Highway 77 and Hospital Road. It is one of three housing and workforce initiatives in the Northwood Tech District aimed at addressing critical housing shortages while offering on-site job training for area residents...

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Leo’s notes: Trailview Cottages is a model for how rural communities can tackle workforce challenges—by pairing affordable housing with on-site job training. Innovative partnerships like this one are key to helping families thrive, supporting local employers, and strengthening Wisconsin’s economy.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) today released its 2024 Impact Report, highlighting a year of continued strength and service to member financial institutions and communities across Illinois and Wisconsin. As interest rates remained elevated and economic uncertainty persisted, FHLBank Chicago remained focused on delivering the funding and programs their members needed to navigate uncertainty and drive local impact. Through human interest stories, the report illustrates how FHLBank Chicago is Investing in Opportunities - providing liquidity and reliable funding, supporting housing and community development, and cultivating a high-performing and engaged workforce.

In 2024, FHLBank Chicago provided $107 million in housing and economic development grants and delivered $1.9 billion in discounted Community Advances—supporting the creation or preservation of more than 7,300 housing units and 7,800 jobs. FHLBank Chicago welcomed eight new member institutions to its cooperative, continuing to expand its reach and impact across the district.

FHLBank Chicago Releases 2024 Impact Report

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Leo’s notes: At a time when many communities face housing shortages and economic uncertainty, FHLBank Chicago’s investments are delivering real impact—helping create thousands of homes, supporting local jobs, and strengthening community development across Wisconsin and Illinois. Continued leadership like this is essential to building resilient, thriving communities.

(The Center Square) — Wisconsin’s real estate agents say there are too few homes for sale, and those that are available are once again getting more expensive.

"Existing home sales fell for a third straight month," the May 2025 Realtors report released Thursday says. "Specifically, closed sales fell just 2.1% over the past 12 months. Relative to May 2024, the median price rose 4.3% to $330,000."

The report said May’s 2.1% drop in sales is much smaller than the 8.6% drop in sales in March, and 9% year-over-year drop in sales in April.

"As we move into the peak period for sales, it’s good to see a solid improvement in inventory levels over the last 12 months," Realtors Chairman Chris DeVincentis said in a statement. "More housing inventory will help moderate price appreciation and will lead to more buying opportunities."...

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Leo’s notes: Wisconsin’s housing market continues to reflect a core challenge: too few homes for sale, driving prices higher and limiting options for buyers. While rising incomes and improving inventory offer some hope, sustained efforts to expand housing supply remain essential to improving affordability and access across the state.

ENABLING BETTER PLACES: A USER’S GUIDE TO WISCONSIN NEIGHBORHOOD AFFORDABILITY	WHEDA’s Rural Affordable Workforce Housing Initiative	Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
WISCAP Affordable Housing Network	Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources	Housing Authority City of Milwaukee (HACM)
Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp	WEDA Legislative Tracker	NRA Housing Needs By State / Wisconsin

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Nate Notes: to be included as a Workforce Housing resource email us a link and a brief note to: wwhnews.com@gmail.com...

GREEN BAY - A developer interested in buying and rehabbing Monroe Plaza Apartments, the 1970s-era affordable housing complex for seniors at 400 N. Monroe Ave., is looking to the Green Bay Housing Authority for the funds to pursue its project.

The housing authority on June 19 will consider a request by Monroe Plaza Housing I LLC, whose principal office is based in Manhattan Beach, California, to access up to $27.5 million in revenue bonds to cover the cost of acquiring and rehabilitating the 197-unit apartment complex.

Here`s what to know.

What is the developer requesting from the Green Bay Housing Authority?

The official request is for the housing authority to give the developer up to $27.5 million in "tax-exempt conduit revenue bonds."...

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Leo’s notes: Preserving and modernizing affordable senior housing like Monroe Plaza is vital to keeping communities inclusive and livable for all ages. Public-private partnerships and creative financing tools, such as conduit revenue bonds, offer an important path to ensuring these critical homes remain safe, updated, and accessible for years to come.

A South Milwaukee apartment project will receive a $756,752 loan to build 20 units in a former clinic building.

Gov. Tony Evers along with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) announced the loan in a June 19 news release as part of $2.5 million in funds supporting three new housing developments across Wisconsin.

Key Points...

• A former clinic in South Milwaukee will be converted into a 20-unit apartment complex called South Shore Landing with help from a state loan.
  
  
• The $3.2 million project will create 16 two-bedroom and four studio units.
  
  
• Construction is expected to be completed by the end of April 2026.

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Leo’s notes: Transforming vacant properties into quality workforce housing is a smart way to strengthen communities and meet local housing needs. Projects like South Shore Landing—made possible through strong state and local partnerships—show how creative redevelopment can bring new life to neighborhoods while supporting Wisconsin’s workforce.

The city of Milwaukee has newly written guidelines for developers looking to work with the city and secure tax increment financing when working on affordable housing projects, with workforce housing as a new facet for public funding following developer demand.

Construction and borrowing costs are higher, driving developers to seek partnerships with the city for project financing. In some cases, developers have said that without public financing their projects would not get off the ground. Meanwhile, the city and developers are driving for more housing supply as rents have risen.

The six-page document from the city of Milwaukee Department of City Development outlined the city’s housing priorities and shared directions to follow to achieve tax increment financing. The documents arrived after discourse between the city and developers looking to expand workforce housing, and more than a year after the city’s downtown area plan was released.

“We’re excited to share publicly what we’ve been talking about with industry groups and specific developers over the last several months,” said Lafayette Crump, the commissioner of city development. “They have provided input into our policy, and we believe we’ve crafted a policy that is going to be impactful and move forward the kinds of projects we want to support, and we believe the city needs,” he added.....

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Across Wisconsin many employees can simply not afford to live where they work.

This is true in big cities and small rural communities. Both the availability and price of housing is not in line with the needs of those working in jobs that are vital to the success of our communities. Imagine a firefighter, teacher, city employee, service, or retail worker not able to afford a home in the community they serve.

We believe Wisconsin employers will support these efforts so they can successfully recruit workers to fill the thousands of job openings now hampered by a shortage of affordable housing.


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WWHNEWS Notes: To add a resource or correct above send data and link to wwhnews.com[at]gmail.com...