Data is based on SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER COSTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME (SMOCAPI) and GROSS RENT AS PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME (GRAPI) from the US Census Bureau annual ACS 5-year estimate data. 

*Data from the US Census ACS is an estimate. There is an approximate 2%-4% margin of error at a 90% confidence interval (CI). 

"Lack of safe, affordable housing has been linked to poor economic, health, and socio-economic outcomes, as well as negative academic and behavioral outcomes for children.”  Why Housing Matters for Upward Mobility

Households are considered “cost burdened” if they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Cost-burdened households have little left over each month to spend on other necessities such as food, clothing, utilities, and health care.

What’s driving the housing trend?

• Housing starts have been stagnant since the 2008 recession
• Decreased inventory = increased cost
• Rising construction and infrastructure costs
• Lack of proactive vision in Comprehensive Plans, outdated zoning
• Developer profitability is less in rural communities

Learn more: Housing Instability - Healthy People 2030 | health.gov

• ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Grant Opportunities
• Business and Independent Investors
• Developers
• Housing Authorities
• Human Services
• Local Policymakers: Counties, Cities, Towns and Villages
• Nonprofits 
• State Policymakers
• Thrive Economic Development (ThriveED)
• WHEDA - WI Housing & Economic Development Authority
• WEDC - WI Economic Development Corporation

BUILD KNOWLEDGE of barriers limiting affordable housing development

GROW ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY of municipalities with technical assistance 

ACTIVATE FINANCIAL SUPPORTS

• Public-private partnerships
• Revolving loan funds
• Land acquisition, community land trusts
• Delayed developer fees

ADVANCE POLICY  

• Low Income Housing Tax Credit Financing, New Market and Historic Tax Credits
• Opportunity zones and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts
• Updated zoning codes

Leverage Foundation partnerships and resources to activate local, state and federal dollars to support housing development.

1. Provide a loan to Dodge County Housing Authority for workforce housing in Juneau and Reeseville

2. Provide grant and loan funding to build ThriveED’s capacity as Jefferson County’s housing champion. ThriveED will manage

• Live Local Housing Development Fund, providing gap financing to attract developers; 
• Technical assistance, education and advocacy for municipalities;
• Developer outreach; and
• Home buyer counseling and education for buyers/owners at or below 80% Area Median Income.

3. Develop 80+ acres on the former Watertown Bethesda campus.

4. Research & Development: Build regional capacity to advocate for policies and financing resources that support rural housing development. Initiate additional housing partnerships (i.e. purchase and flip blighted homes).