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COMING FALL 2026
Applications Now Open for Milwaukee's Community Housing Academy!
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You may be familiar with our Community Transportation Academy, but did you know that we're planning our first-ever Community Housing Academy in Milwaukee?
Over 7 weeks of in-person sessions, we will equip local advocates with the knowledge, tools, and connections to engage with effective housing advocacy and policy change to expand housing options in their own communities.
The Community Housing Academy is designed for anyone who wants to better understand (and influence) the future of housing: residents, elected officials, planners, municipal/county staff, students, developers, builders, business leaders, and real estate professionals alike!
Find information about the class schedule and topics, along with answers to the most frequently asked questions. Apply here to join us (deadline: August 15, 2026).
Key Details:
- Independence First, 540 S 1st St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
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September 16 - October 28, 2026 (meeting weekly, 7 total sessions) on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm.
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To respect your time while covering all necessary material, most sessions are 2 to 2.5 hours long; there is only one 3-hour session, and built-in breaks are provided. See full schedule for details.
Got Questions? Reach out to Tehila: tehila@1kfriends.org
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TRANSPORTATION
Rethink 794 Joins Statewide Conversation on Wisconsin Passenger Rail
| | Photo: Strong Towns Metro MKE advocate Rochelle Brien (left) & Rethink 794 advocate Taylor Korslin (right) joined 1KF Transportation Policy Analyst, Raphie Torralba (center). | |
Rethink 794 advocates spent time on June 25 attending the "Thinking Big About Wisconsin Passenger Rail" event hosted by the High Speed Rail Alliance in Milwaukee.
This conference marked the launch of a statewide effort to strengthen Wisconsin’s intercity rail network and highlighted the once-in-a-generation economic opportunity of rail investment.
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Participants explored how fast, frequent, and affordable passenger rail can improve regional connectivity, support workforce development, and position Wisconsin as a key competitor in the Midwest and global economy.
The conference comes at a pivotal moment, as Wisconsin recently applied for a federal grant to extend Amtrak’s Hiawatha line to Madison – an effort that could restore passenger rail to the city for the first time in more than 50 years and generate an estimated $46 million in annual economic benefits, underscoring the real opportunity to expand rail across the state.
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JULY 2026
Updates from the Housing Team
By Ken Smith, Housing Policy Director
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From a team gathering and climate conversation in Stevens Point to zoning policy discussions in Washington, D.C., June was packed with more learning, collaboration, and advocacy work.
Our team explored innovative housing solutions, connected with local and national partners, and continued advancing the conversation on housing, land use, and parking reform across Wisconsin. Read the June recap here and more on my recent trip to Washington, D.C. (a big thanks to Smart Growth America for making this trip a reality)!
| | Photo: Ken poses in front of U.S. Capitol during his Washington D.C. Smart Growth America Center for Zoning Solutions meeting. | | Photo: While in D.C., Ken met with organizations to discuss how municipal zoning power can be harnessed to produce more housing. | | Photo: Tony Jordan of the Parking Reform Network presents on why mandatory parking minimums are not good policy at a Strong Towns Milwaukee Event. | | Photo: Trevor takes the housing team on a tour of downtown Stevens Point. | | Photo: The Housing team joined the Stevens Point Climate Cafe to discuss how housing challenges affect climate. | | | | |
NEW WEBSITE
Housing Onward has a Home of its Own!
We've officially launched our Housing Onward website; Take a peek! 👀 We'll continue to update the site with our events, blogs, and policy and advocacy information in the months ahead.
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RETHINK 794
This Map Raises Big Questions
By Raphie Torralba, Transportation Policy Analyst
| | Photo: Credit to Felix Landry, Urbex Solutions. | | |
A new map featured by Rethink 794 helps reframe downtown Milwaukee, not just as a series of connecting roads, but as a measure of tax productivity. Each spike represents the amount of property tax generated per acre, with taller spikes indicating where land delivers more value to the city.
Seen through that lens, the land occupied by I-794 stands out as a major underperforming gap in the urban fabric. Any opportunity to free up this publicly owned corridor could unlock tens of millions in annual property tax revenue, while also easing pressure on individual homeowners and businesses.
| Is Milwaukee okay with prioritizing fast regional travel over once-in-a-generation opportunities to improve housing, economic growth, public space, and long-term tax base growth? | |
Yet conversations about removing or rethinking the freeway are often reduced to traffic and freight concerns alone. This map broadens the lens, highlighting what’s at stake in terms of long-term city-building and economic health.
Because this land is publicly owned, Milwaukee residents and city leaders have a rare, once-in-a-generation opportunity to decide its future and to shape how downtown, the Third Ward, and the lakefront connect in a way that reflects the needs of the whole city, not just private development interests.
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How much is parking really costing our communities?
Sponsored by the Parking Reform Network & 1000 Friends of Wisconsin
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Join Daniel Herriges, Policy Director at the Parking Reform Network, and a local panel of land use, housing, and transportation leaders, for an in-person (+ virtual option) discussion on how parking policies shape housing affordability, land use, transportation, and community development.
Daniel has been a longtime advocate for more sustainable and people-centered towns and cities. He is the co-author of Escaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis and has a master's degree in Urban Planning from the University of Minnesota.
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TRANSPORTATION
Madison Community Transportation Academy Wraps Up With Big Ideas & New Connections
By Jen Walker, Community Programs Manager
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The Madison Community Transportation Academy (CTA) wrapped up in early June, with 32 advocates completing the program and 12 participants presenting on a wide range of timely and compelling advocacy topics. We’re excited to see how these ideas, and the many others still taking shape, begin to influence local change in the months ahead
This year, we were able to record the final presentations for a virtual audience. You can watch the recording here, with presentation titles and timestamps included in the description so you can easily jump to the topics that interest you most.
For a deeper dive into this spring’s Academy, check out Jen's blogs summarizing the program kickoff as well as hands-on sessions like the Walk & Roll Audit and BRT Transit Tour
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Each year, the CTA brings together a diverse group of participants and sparks creative, collaborative problem-solving. To keep that momentum going, we launched a CTA Alumni Network in 2026, creating space for past participants to stay connected and continue advancing their ideas and advocacy. We’re also looking forward to highlighting alumni stories on the Active Wisconsin blog so a broader network can learn from and build on their work.
We’re especially grateful to the UW South Madison Partnership for their outstanding hospitality and tech support throughout our in-person sessions. They were instrumental in the success of this year’s Academy.
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TAKE ACTION NOW
Don't Let Regional Transit Disappear
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La Crosse County leaders are considering ending the Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit (SMRT) system after 2026, despite its critical role connecting residents to jobs, healthcare, education, and Amtrak service across western Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, and northeastern Iowa.
La Crosse County, one of the last remaining funders of the regional SMRT, is considering ending its support. Without contributions from major employers and other counties in the region, this may mean the end of the service for 2027.
Community members are encouraged to attend upcoming county meetings, contact local officials, and help spread the word. Now is the time to speak up for a transportation investment that strengthens regional mobility, economic development, and access for all. Even if SMRT is ultimately preserved, a sustainable regional funding model such as a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will be needed to prevent future crises.
Read how community advocates saved the SMRT bus last year by mobilizing 800+ petition signatures and powerful public testimony.
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DANGEROUS BY DESIGN 2026
Pedestrian Safety Crisis Persists Across the U.S., New Report Finds
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Smart Growth America’s latest Dangerous by Design report offers a sobering look at pedestrian safety in the U.S. While pedestrian deaths dipped slightly in 2024, 7,080 people were still killed while walking – near historic highs and part of a troubling 72% increase over the past 15 years.
| | "Saving lives should not be controversial." | | |
The report finds that more than 80% of states and metro areas are becoming more dangerous for people walking, with older adults, low-income communities, and communities of color facing the greatest risks.
The takeaway is clear: our transportation system still prioritizes speed over safety. But the solutions are well known. The report calls on policymakers and practitioners to redesign streets, save lives, and make walking a safe option for everyone.
| | Photo: Participants on a walk & roll audit as part of the Community Transportation Academy in Kenosha, Wisconsin | | |
TAKE ACTION NOW
Passenger Rail Funding at Risk, But There's Still Time to Act
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The Build America 250 Act is a new federal transportation bill moving through Congress that would cut funding for passenger rail and eliminate long-term funding guarantees, threatening progress on our nationwide rail expansion.
Advocates say this could stall projects, limit rural access, and reinforce decades of highway-first spending.
At the same time, momentum is building behind the American High-Speed Rail Act, which would invest $205 billion over five years to modernize and expand rail service. There's still an opportunity to push back and the fight for better train infrastructure is far from over.
Please sign a petition – or even better - contact your U.S. State Senators directly (preferably by phone or customized letter for the greatest impact) and help shape the future of American travel.
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APPLY BY JULY 31st
Housing Grant Opportunity Now Open
The WHEDA Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 Housing Grant Program, with $2 million available to support improvements to emergency shelters and transitional housing across Wisconsin.
Municipalities can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to help fund projects like renovations, accessibility upgrades, additions, site purchases, and new construction. Applications are due July 31. Learn more and apply through WHEDA.
| | Public Input Remains Open on Western Wisconsin Lands | |
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has released a draft master plan for the Western Coulees and Ridges region and is accepting public comments through July 2026. The plan will shape future decisions on trails, recreation, habitat, forestry, and public access across hundreds of public lands. If you care about conservation, outdoor access, or the future of these lands, now is the time to weigh in.
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When complete, the system will expand the Heart of Vilas trail with the towns of Eagle River, Conover, Phelps, and Land O'Lakes, resulting in a 110-mile hard-surface, connected trail system.
If you decide to bike one of these scenic rides, please stop by our table and say hi to Ali & Rory! We can hook you up with a snazzy new tote bag and sticker before you enjoy your beer and bratwurst!
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ICYMI
June Active Wisconsin Networking Call
By Jen Walker, Community Programs Manager
| | Photo: Congratulations to our book giveaway winner, Travis Key! Travis, a Transportation Planner with the LaCrosse MPO, is excited to dive into his copy. | | |
Thanks to the 30+ people from across the state who joined our June Active Wisconsin networking call! Our special guest, Benjamin Schneider, journalist and author of The Unfinished Metropolis, joined us for an engaging conversation covering everything from parking policy and freeway removal to ideas and hopes for future rail and transit investments in Wisconsin.
If you missed it, you can watch the recording here. Even with a full hour together, we only scratched the surface of the book’s ideas. For more reflections, check out Jen Walker’s latest Active Wisconsin blog.
| | | | | | Photo: US DOT FWHA. One solution is road “rightsizing” (or road diets), which reallocates street space by narrowing lanes, adding turn lanes, and creating room for sidewalks, crossings, and bike lanes. | | |
SHARE YOUR STORY
Know a Road That’s Been Made Safer? We Want to Hear About It
Many communities struggle with “stroads”—wide, fast roads that function as local streets but are unsafe for people walking, biking, or using mobility devices.
We’re looking to highlight successful examples across Wisconsin. If you know of a project that improved safety through redesign, we want to hear from you. Please share details, photos, and any local partners involved with: jen@1kfriends.org.
| | June Recap & Looking Ahead to July | | Photo: Bonita Nuñez was interviewed about housing affordability in the Madison area as part of our next video storytelling series. | | |
In June, Madison for More Neighbors continued expanding its community outreach by connecting with neighborhood associations, alders, and local organizations to build new partnerships.
We also interviewed Bonita Nuñez for our community storytelling series, highlighting perspectives on homeownership and housing affordability, while continuing to strengthen relationships and engage residents in conversations about creating more housing opportunities across Madison.
In July, we'll continue growing our neighborhood partnerships, attending community events, and engaging residents and local leaders in conversations about housing solutions while supporting policies that expand housing access and affordability—helping make Madison a more welcoming, inclusive, and affordable place for everyone.
| | Photo (above): Marlita Media helps capture our community voices video series. | | Photo (above & below): Sharon attended the Focused Interruption Community BBQ at Penn Park in Madison. | | |
Message from Our Executive Director
The Fight for Climate-Smart Communities Starts Here
| | The city of Madison is pushing forward with some really ambitious climate policies, targeting net-zero carbon emissions for city operations by 2030 and for the broader community by 2050. However, even with that momentum, the city’s progress is increasingly running into state and federal resistance that could limit how far these efforts actually go. | | |
I recently spoke with Will Briggs from The Capital Times about the challenges and opportunities facing local climate action groups in Wisconsin. You can read my perspective in this article alongside other prominent voices exploring the intersection of climate, land use, transportation, and housing policy in Madison and throughout Wisconsin.
The piece offers a compelling snapshot of climate action in real time, as local leaders work to decarbonize while also navigating legal uncertainty, political pushback, and the practical limits of local authority.
As we mark 250 years of the United States, we’re left with a pressing question: how far can local ambition carry us when the systems around it are moving in another direction...and what does that mean for Wisconsin's climate future?
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"Achieving a more sustainable city will require people to be open-minded...to a change in lifestyle, a change in business, a change in how a city looks, a change in who our neighbors are. We have to welcome the change. That is a huge barrier that we need to continually try to chip away at."
Trevor Roark, Executive Director
| | Let's Connect @ Upcoming Events | | |
July 9, 2026 (7:30 am): Milwaukee Mornings @ Milwaukee Public Market. Join architect Chris Socha and branding strategist Scott Schwebel for a free, live conversation on leadership, placemaking, and the ideas shaping Milwaukee's future. Pre-registration is required. More Info Here
July 14, 2026 (1:00 pm): America Walks Webinar: What Will It Take To Be A "Sidewalk Nation?" Virtual. Sidewalks are the threshold of public life. But as demand for walkability increases, how can we ensure sidewalks are prioritized in street design and maintenance? Register Here
July 15, 2026 (12:00 pm): Dangerous by Design: Solutions At Work. Virtual. Join Smart Growth America for a webinar discussion with people rolling up their sleeves – demonstrating what can be done when places stop planning and start implementing. Register Here
July 25, 2026. Ride with Leinie, Conover, WI. Join Ali & Rory for a bicycle ride on the beautiful Conover-Phelps Trail, or take a road ride on scenic Northwoods backroads to help the Great Headwaters Trail Foundation raise funds for enhancement and development of walking and biking trails in Vilas County. Register to Ride
July 29, 2026 (9:00 - 10:00 am): Community Transportation Academy Alumni Networking Call on Zoom. Join Jen & CTA friends for updates, questions, and group encouragement on projects. We also hope to see a few new faces from our most recent Madison Transportation Academy. Register Here
July 29 & 30, 2026: A Home For Everyone Conference, Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee.
Join Ken as the Wisconsin Collaborative for Affordable Housing brings together advocates, community organizations, government, and private partners committed to expanding and preserving affordable housing. Register Here
August 12, 2026 (12:00 - 1:00 pm) - Badger State Housing Alliance's virtual webinar series: Curds of Wisdom. The Ladder into Homeownership Is Broken: What's it Going to Take to Fix it? Register Here
August 24, 2026 (5:00 - 6:30 pm) - Let's Talk Parking! - Pinery Room, Portage County Public Library, Stevens Point (in-person or virtual option). Join Daniel Herriges of the Parking Reform Network for a public forum exploring the hidden costs of parking and how smarter land use can create more vibrant, productive communities. Register Here for Virtual Option
Aug 24 & 25, Governor's Conference on Highway Safety, Kalahari Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells. The Governor’s Conference provides attendees with opportunities to learn about current evidence-based best practices in education, enforcement, and partnerships to prevent traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Wisconsin roads. Learn More
October 8, 2026 (5:30 - 8:00 pm): 1000 Friends of Wisconsin 30th Anniversary Celebration, Goodman Community Center Brassworks Building in Madison. Celebrate 30 years of protecting Wisconsin's natural resources and building healthy communities around the state. Reconnect with members and our amazing partners and see what's on the horizon for our work in land use, housing, and transportation. Facebook Event
October 14, 2026 (7:00 - 8:00 pm): Charles B. Whitnall: Father of Milwaukee County Parks, Northpoint Lighthouse, Milwaukee. Join Ken for a presentation by Virginia Small (Hon. ASA, Landscape Historian, Journalist & Author) to learn about Whitnall's role as a visionary of Milwaukee County's interconnected system of naturalistic parks. More Information
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Your Support Helps Create
Stronger Wisconsin Communities
| | | | Donate today to advance better housing, smarter land use, and more sustainable transportation solutions that protect Wisconsin’s natural resources and make it easier for people to live healthier, more connected, and lower-impact lives in our state. | | |
1000 Friends of Wisconsin
608-259-1000 | 1kfriends.org
We work remotely, so please contact us via email:
Trevor Roark
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