SAVE THE DATE
2nd Annual
Regional Housing Strategy (RHS) Meeting
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
6:00-8:30 PM
Alliant Energy Center
At the meeting, you will learn about regional progress on the RHS's Five Housing Priorities! You'll hear from a panel of elected officials about the challenges and tough decisions they face around addressing the housing crisis and opportunities to improve outcomes.
We'll also discuss the obstacles to building and preserving affordable single-family housing, What do affordable single-family homes look like, and how do we make it happen? Ice cream will be served! Free and open to the public - all welcome! Stay tuned for updates. Mark your calendars!
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Wisconsin Legislature Provides New Help
to Address Housing Shortage, Affordability
The Wisconsin legislature has passed numerous bipartisan bills that provide municipalities with expanded tools to increase housing supply and address the affordability crisis.
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WI Act 194— Modifies WHEDA Housing Loan Programs
Wisconsin State Legislature updated the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority’s (WHEDA) new workforce housing loan programs: Infrastructure Access, Restore Main St., and Vacancy and Vitality, to expand utilization of the fund and increase housing supply. Highlights include:
- Allowing tax incremental financing and historic tax credits to be stacked with housing loans to ensure that all financing gaps and cost constraints may be addressed
- Increasing the maximum loan amounts that may be awarded in all three programs measured either as a percentage of project cost or a per unit dollar figure
- Lowering the number of dwelling units that must be created in the Vacancy-to-Vitality Program for municipalities under 10,000 in population from 16 or more to 4 or more
- Allowing mixed-use developments to qualify for the Vacancy-to-Vitality Program while ensuring loan funds are only used for the residential portion of the development
- Moving the lookback date from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2020 for municipal ordinance or other regulatory changes necessary for the cost reduction analysis.
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WI Act 234— Creates a Workforce Housing Tax Incremental District (WF-TID)
Starting October 1, 2026, the legislation creates a new Workforce Housing tax incremental district (TID), which incentivizes new single-family or duplex residential development. Under this legislation, a Workforce Housing TID can be created if the following conditions are met:
- The total value of all Workforce Housing TIDs do not exceed 3% of total equalized value of the municipality, (WH-TID exempt from the 12% cap for communities); the TID lifespan does not exceed 20 years, and the costs are limited to supporting the necessary infrastructure and certain related expenses
- The development is for owner-occupied single-family or duplex residences that are 1,500 square feet or less for single story residences or 2,000 square feet or less for two-story residences
- The lot sizes and widths are not greater than 7,500 square feet and 70 feet for single-family or 12,500 square feet and 80 feet for duplexes and, for either, side setbacks are not greater than 10 feet.
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WI Act 173 — Changes to Residential Rezoning Requirements
On April 8, Governor Tony Evers. signed the “Truth in Planning” Bill, that requires cities’ and villages’ zoning ordinances to be consistent with their comprehensive plans, particularly in identifying areas where houses and specific densities will be allowed.
Under this legislation, municipalities must grant rezoning requests for residential development if the proposed area is designated for residential use in the municipalities’ comprehensive plan, aligns with existing development, meets certain density requirements, and addresses housing demand in their community. Municipalities must now identify exactly where and how densely residential growth will occur in five-year increments.
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WI Act 175 - Expands TIF Extension to Three Years for Affordable Housing
This legislation modifies tax incremental financing provisions, allowing municipalities to extend a TID upon closure from one to three years, and expands what can be included as project costs within the TID. 75% of the funds must be used for affordable housing, the other 25% for other housing stock.
This new legislation will take some time to implement and get underway, but reflects important new tools and next steps to address the housing shortage and affordability crisis.
| May is Affordable Housing Month | As part of Affordable Housing Month, Dane County municipalities and organizations are spreading awareness about the need for more affordable homes and housing units in our community. Check out some of the educational events next month and please join in! Free and open to the public! | Sun Prairie Affordable Housing Month | |
The City of Sun Prairie is partnering with community organizations to offer a variety of events aimed at increasing understanding and involvement in housing. To learn more about Sun Prairie’s affordable housing events, visit their housing website here, and check out one of their featured events below!
Small Homes, Big Impacts: A Talk on ADUs
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 7:00-8:00PM
2598 W. Main Street (Sun Prairie)
Many communities are seeking ways to add housing that fits its neighborhoods. Join us to discuss Sun Prairie’s draft accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance, hear from a developer building these units, and listen to a homeowner that recently completed one in Madison.
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Madison Housing Week
Madison Housing Week brings together residents, policymakers, advocates, and experts to learn about how housing and land use decisions that impact everyone. This week-long event features webinars, panels, and neighborhood tours that explore topics such as housing affordability, zoning and land use, community engagement, accessory dwelling units, and much more. To see the events planned for Madison Housing Week, visit the event website here, and check out one of the featured webinars below!
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Lunch and Learn: Madison Housing Market Update
Monday, May 4, 2026, 12:00-1:00 PM
Join AARP for a free webinar about what is happening in Madison and Dane County’s housing markets. You will hear from community experts in home building, real estate, and planning, as they discuss what is driving change in Madison and Dane County, and what it means for local homeowners and homebuyers.
To register for this event, click here.
| | Calling All Realtors!— Fair Housing Challenge | |
The Wisconsin Realtors Association has launched their Fair Housing Challenge, inviting realtors to build a more inclusive, equitable, and educated real estate profession. Through the completion of three programs, realtors can learn more about the history of fair housing, as well as the ongoing challenges surrounding fair housing.
To learn more about the challenge, or the programs offered in this course and get involved, visit the Wisconsin Realtors Association website here.
| Community Housing Highlights | City of Middleton Housing Action Plan, New Release | |
The City of Middleton’s Community Development Authority and Workforce Housing Committee developed its Housing Action Plan: Addressing Affordability in Middleton, Wisconsin (2026-2036), outlining how Middleton’s Affordable Housing Fund will be used over the next decade. The plan sets key strategies and actions to guide efficient use of the funds.
The Housing Action Plan presents an ambitious yet practical vision, informed by best practices and aligned with the Dane County Regional Housing Strategy, with the goal of making the fund a long-term resource for housing affordability in Middleton.
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City of Fitchburg, New Housing Study and Action Plan
The City of Fitchburg has adopted their 2026 Comprehensive Housing Study and Action Plan, which addresses Fitchburg’s current and future housing needs while supporting sustainable growth. The Housing Plan was developed with input from residents, advisory committees, city staff, and community stakeholders, and will serve as a guide for city policies and future decision-making. To view the City of Fitchburg’s housing study, click here.
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$241,000 Awarded to Local Housing Developer
FHLBank Chicago awarded $241,000 to Madison-based firm, Kaba-Baal LLC, through its Community First Developer Program. This funding will be used to create additional pathways into affordable housing development for aspiring professionals across the state.
Kaba-Baal LLC, founded by developer Kaba Bah, works on creating homeownership opportunities that strengthen neighborhood stability. The Developer Program grant awarded to Bah’s firm will support fellowships and internships for many future professionals who will learn more about property management, planning, and community engagement, while also understanding how development can be used to expand opportunities for families.
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Collaborating to Strengthen Dane County Through Housing
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 8:00-11:00 AM
Anderson United Way Center (2059 Atwood Avenue, Madison)
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Dane County Housing Access and Affordability and United Way invite you to join them for a conversation about increasing access to housing in Dane County. Join us for a discussion about the housing landscape in Dane County and learn about two affordable housing funds. Additionally, you will have the chance to learn more about Greenlight, and provide feedback to its developers about what this tool could look like in your community!
To register for the event, click here.
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Join Habitat for Humanity— Community Discussion on Tackling the Affordability Crisis
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 8:00 AM
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Join Habitat for Humanity for Turning the Key to Homeownership, a community discussion that is free to the public!
Jim Malewitz, WI Watch, will facilitate a solutions-focused event uniting business and government leaders, nonprofit partners and community champions working to expand access to affordable housing.
Breakfast and networking begins at 8:00 am.
Register here
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FREE Homebuyer Education Course
May 5, 12, and 19, 2026, 5:30-8:30 PM
The Hub, 4th Floor (2352 S. Park St., Madison)
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Dreaming of owning a home but not sure where to start? Join the Urban League of Greater Madison's Free Homebuyer Education Course, designed to make the homebuying process achievable. In this course, you will learn to improve your finances, navigate the homebuying process, and qualify for grants and assistance programs such as downpayment assistance, lower interest rates, and special programs for buyers with lower credit.
To RSVP for this event, click here.
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Home Efficiency and Electrification Mini Course
May 5, June 2, June 30, & September 22, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM
StartingBlock Madison (821 E. Washington Avenue, Madison)
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Are you interested in making your home more energy efficient? Join Sustain Dane and MG&E’s Home Efficiency & Electrification Course, a mini course that will help homeowners understand their home’s energy use, explore options to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, and plan next steps!
This series of courses takes place over four Tuesdays (May 5, June 2, June 30, and September 22) from 5:30-7:30PM. Dinner will be provided. The cost of this series is $60, with sliding scale scholarships available. Questions about this course can be directed to samantha@sustaindane.org.
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FREE Training Seminar
Fair Housing: Do You Know the Law?
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 2:00-4:30PM
Madison Public Library, Goodman South Branch (2222 S. Park Street, Meeting Room 115, Madison)
Are you an owner or manager of Madison rental housing who is interested in learning more about Fair Housing Laws? If so, you are invited to attend the Fair Housing Center of Greater Madison’s free training seminar on Fair Housing on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 2:00-4:30 PM. At this seminar, you will learn about local, state, and federal fair housing laws, as well as topics such as:
- Advertising units in compliance with fair housing law
- Non-discriminatory negotiation with prospective tenants
- Interacting with current tenants in a fair and legal manner
- Reasonable accommodations and modifications for tenants with disabilities.
To register for this training, click here or call (414) 278-1240.
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