The number of housing units in Dodge and Jefferson counties has steadily grown between 2016 and 2022, increasing by 2.7% over that span. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what kind of housing has spurred this growth, but regardless of homes or rental units, affordability remains critical for all cohorts of the population. 

Limiting factors:

• Rising construction and infrastructure costs.
• Lack of proactive vision in Comprehensive Plans, outdated zoning. 

Safe, affordable housing is a social determinant of health and an explicit Healthy People 2030 priority.  Access to affordable housing is a top priority of business and municipal leaders throughout the region.  Lack of available housing limits health, workforce availability, tax revenue and school revenue.

• Housing starts have been stagnant since 2008 recession

• Decreased inventory = increased cost

• Rising construction and infrastructure costs

• Lack of proactive vision in Comprehensive Plans, outdated zoning

• Developer profitability less in rural communities

Partners 

• 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).

Data Source - US Census ACS survey 5-year estimate. 

A housing unit is a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied (or if vacant, is intended for occupancy) as separate living quarters.