Regional Housing News - October 2025

IN THE NEWS

Please Join Us— Senior Housing Tour in Middleton!

Thursday, October 23, 3:00-4:00PM

New! Senior Housing Fact Sheet

NEW Dane County Population Projections for 2050— Available Now!

State of Wisconsin Housing Trust Fund— Applications Now Open!

Don't Miss It— Lots of Great Housing Conferences, Trainings, and Events

In the News...

Please Join Us - Thinking of Downsizing? Not Sure if an Apartment Community is Right for You?

Take a Tour with Us and Visit a New 55+ Development in Middleton, WI!

Want to downsize, but can't find housing that fits your needs? Never lived in an apartment community? Apartment living offers older adults the comfort of an independent lifestyle and social connections, while also adding the convenience of on-site amenities. Both market rate and affordable units are available. Please join us for a tour of a 55+ senior living apartment community in the City of Middleton!

Danny Afable, JT Klein Development Manager, will be leading a tour of Oak Ridge Middleton Senior Living Apartments on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025, from 3:00-4:00PM. Oak Ridge features 83 units, both market and affordable, ranging from 1-3 bedrooms. On the tour, participants can expect to see a sample apartment, community room, fitness center, and much more! Tour participants can drive on their own to the site, or travel by bus using Route F (5-minute walk from the site).

The deadline to RSVP is Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Please email Scott Peacock, Associate Planner for the City of Middleton, at sheacock@cityofmiddleton.us with the subject "Senior Housing Tour," as well as the names of those attending, to reserve your spot on the tour.

____

New Fact Sheet — Senior Housing Crisis 101

The Regional Housing Strategy's newest fact sheet, The Senior Housing Crisis 101, is now available on the RHS Website.

This fact sheet covers the demand for affordable senior housing in Dane County, community benefits of senior housing, and what municipal leaders can do to incentivize the development of new senior housing units in their communities.

Click here to view the new fact sheet, or here to view our other available fact sheets!

State of Wisconsin Housing Trust Fund

Applications Now Open!

The State of Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources (DEHCR) has opened the application for the Housing Trust Fund (HTF).

The Housing Trust Fund provides grants to produce and preserve housing for low-income households. HTF funds can be used for the production or preservation of affordable housing through acquisition, new construction, reconstruction, and/or rehabilitation of rental housing. HTF assisted units are required to have a minimum affordability period of 30 years.

Approximately $6.5 millions of HTF funds are available to eligible nonprofit/for-profit developers, housing authorities, and Native American housing entities for this application period.

The deadline for applications is Monday, December 1st, 2025. Visit this link for more information about the Housing Trust Fund, and submit all questions to DOAHousingTrustFund@wisconsin.gov.

Conferences, Events, and Trainings

Want A Better Relationship with Your Local Landlords?

Landlord Engagement Training - Online

Friday, October 17, 2025, 9:00-10:30AM

Join the City of Madison for a free training on landlord engagement— Building Effective Landlord Partnerships: Strategies for Outreach, Engagement, and Retention, on Friday, October 17, 2025 on Zoom. Housing providers, case managers, and community partners are invited to join and learn about strategies to recruit and retain landlords willing to participate in rental assistance and supportive housing programs.

Zoom: https://cityofmadison.zoom.us/j/86791675759?pwd=DCCSQ1za9DAXG9rXKCBn8aoT95J6bO.1

____

Madison Housing Week

Sunday, October 19- Saturday, October 25, 2025

The Madison Housing Coalition is hosting Madison Housing Week, a week-long event where housing advocates and community members can come together to learn about Madison and Dane County's housing crisis and solutions to increase the supply of affordable housing options. Events are held every day, with free in-person and online sessions available. Click here to learn more about this year's offered sessions.

____

Sustain Dane Summit- Housing Panel

Friday, November 7, 2025

Monona Terrace (1 John Nolen Drive, Madison)

Join us at the Sustain Dane Summit on November 7, 2025, a conference for sustainability enthusiasts to learn, connect, share, reflect, and build new personal and professional skills. This year’s summit will feature a Housing & Sustainability session.

Housing is a cornerstone of community well-being, influencing everything from social connection and public health to economic stability and climate resilience. Affordable housing plays a vital role within this broader housing ecosystem, ensuring access and equity for all. This session will explore the relationship between housing and sustainability. We will explore collaborative approaches to both preserving existing homes and developing new homes that incorporate sustainability into local housing solutions. 

A panel will share diverse perspectives: a visionary outlook for our housing future, the history and current housing challenges, and the implementation of local geothermal, weatherization, and other measures. There will also be time for participants to discuss what they would put on their sustainability scorecard for housing. 

The panel, moderated by Abigail Corso, Chief Strategist at Elevate, will include: 

·        Elmer Moore, CEO and Executive Director, WHEDA

·        Sarah Neujahr, Principal, New Year Investments

·        Torrance Kramer, President, Accurate Airtight Exteriors 

·        Olivia Parry, Senior Planner, Dane County Planning and Development 

Scholarships for event admission may be available based on financial need. Learn more and register here. 

____

Register now for the Annual WHEDA Conference— How Housing Happens, taking place at the Monona Terrace on Wednesday, November 12 and Thursday, November 13, 2025. The conference will connect housing professionals across the state to learn about industry changes and work together to find new ways to expand affordable housing throughout Wisconsin.

Click here for more information and to register for the conference. Standard registration closes on November 1, 2025. 

In the News...

August 11, 2025, Isthmus – Madison rents up 47% over the last five years

September 11, 2025, Washington Post – Housing costs squeeze owners and renters alike, outpacing inflation

September 11, 2025, The Daily Reporter – Stoughton approves deal for 76M Riverhavn housing project