In The News

Housing Strategy Spotlight -

What Does Zoning Have to Do with the Housing Crisis?

New RHS Fact Sheet Available - Zoning 101

Please Join Us! Next RHN:

RHS Evaluation Checklist for Cities and Villages

How to Make Your Community More Friendly to People of Color

Thursday, October 10, 3:00-4:00pm

RHS Upcoming Meetings

PRO Housing Funding Opportunity - Apply Now!

Housing Resources & Events

RHS Housing Strategy Spotlight

The core of the RHS Strategic Action Plan (2024-2028) are the top housing Priorities, Strategies and Action Items.

Each month we will spotlight strategies and action items based on one of the five housing priorities from the RHS Action Plan. Spotlights will vary and be relevant to different stakeholder groups including municipalities, non-profits, realtors, residents, developers, builders, financial institutions, employers. Pursuing these strategies is critical to solving the housing crisis. It will take all of us.

An annual RHS survey will go out in November to housing stakeholders and municipalities to track our progress. An RHS Progress Report will be shared at the RHS annual meeting in February, and online.

PRIORITY: INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OVERALL HOUSING UNITS

STRATEGY: ADVANCE ZONING REFORMS AND UPDATE LOCAL ZONING CODES

One of the RHS' five top priorities is to increase the overall number of housing units in Dane County, and zoning reform was identified as a key strategy to accomplish this. The Strategic Action Plan recommends making updates to local zoning codes as an important evidence-based strategy to help address Dane County's housing crisis.

As shown below, the majority of Dane County's housing stock is currently comprised of single-family detached units. Zoning updates are needed throughout the County to help increase the variety of housing types and price points. See why elected officials throughout the nation are pursuing zoning updates in their communities here.

Strict zoning regulations can prevent the construction of many in-demand types of owner and renter occupied housing, as well as increase housing costs by limiting supply and increasing costs for developers.

Zoning updates can help to increase housing supply, reduce housing costs, and diversify housing stock. RHS Action Items recommend making certain types of zoning updates that can help address the housing crisis, including:

• Allow for a variety of housing types within your residential zoning code including townhomes, condominiums, and smaller multi-family units
• Streamline the permit process to reduce approval and development timelines
• Reduce minimum lot sizes and setback requirements to allow for smaller single-family homes (In 2024, Middleton reduced their minimum residential lot size to 3,000 sf.)
• Reduce or eliminate parking requirements

Click here for the new RHS Fact Sheet: Zoning 101 and learn more about the impact of zoning regulations on housing, as well as other examples of zoning updates to help address local housing concerns.

SUN PRAIRIE IS UPDATING THEIR ZONING CODE - REIMAGINE SUN PRAIRIE

The City of Sun Prairie recently launched their zoning code rewrite project, Reimagine Sun Prairie; “a collaborative initiative aimed at updating the Zoning Code with community input to create a more vibrant, resilient, and inclusive future for our development and public spaces.”

The project includes robust public input and education campaigns to ensure the new zoning code reflects the interests of all Sun Prairie residents. Learn more about the project’s process and timeline here. 

Next Regional Housing Network (RHN) Program:

RHS Checklist and Evaluation Guide for Cities & Villages, and

How to Make Your Community More Friendly to People of Color

Thursday, October 10, 3:00-4:00pm

Please join us for our next Regional Housing Network (RHN) meeting on Thursday, October 10! Learn about two new RHS resources for Dane County Cities and Villages. We will discuss the new “RHS Checklist and Evaluation Guide for Cities & Villages” that includes strategies and action items identified in the RHS they can use to inventory and assess municipal housing activities for solving the housing crisis.

The second part of the program will feature the first presentation in a new RHS series on racial equity and housing, “How to Make Your Community More Friendly to People of Color.” Addressing racial disparities in housing and homeownership was identified as a top priority in the Regional Housing Strategy. Other presentation topics for the series will address how residents can be successful new renters and homeowners, and support for property managers.

Presenters include Theola Carter, Dane County Manager of Policy and Program Improvement, Office of Equity and Inclusion, and Olivia Parry, Dane County Senior Planner.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/94310243246

RHS Upcoming Meetings:

Throughout the year, the RHS hosts a number of meetings to facilitate implementation of the Strategic Action Plan. These include monthly RHS Executive Committee meetings, bi-monthly Regional Housing Network (RHN) program meetings (open to all), regular HAC and Housing Stakeholder meetings to discuss current housing efforts and opportunities. Each year we will hold an annual meeting in February to discuss our progress and next steps. See below for upcoming meetings, or view our new RHS Meeting Calendar, found on our website.

RHS Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 17, 1:00-2:00pm

The RHS Executive Committee members serve twelve-month appointments and attend monthly meetings to advise and provide feedback on RHS implementation.

RHS HAC & Housing Stakeholder Meeting

Thursday, September 26, 3:00-4:15pm

Please join RHS HAC members and interested housing stakeholders to hear RHS program updates, and discuss progress and opportunities for Strategic Action Plan implementation efforts since its launch in May! We will hear Housing Strategy Spotlights by Alex Allon, Community Development Director, the Village of Deforest, as well as Bob Proctor, Realtors Association of South- Central WI (RASCW). Mark Your Calendars! All are welcome! See you soon!

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/94310243246

HUD’s PRO Housing program is currently accepting applications for their second round of competitive grant funding to allocate a total of $100 million to 30 selected communities. The program provides funding for communities across the country to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation.

States and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and multijurisdictional entities are all eligible to apply. Eligible uses include any activities that further develop, evaluate, and implement housing policy plans, improve housing strategies, and facilitate affordable housing production and preservation. The minimum grant amount per awardees is $1 million, and the maximum is $7 million. This round will prioritize applicants who can demonstrate progress and commitment to overcoming local housing barriers, primarily by having enacted improved laws and regulations. Read the PRO Housing Fact Sheet for an overview of the program, or visit HUD’s PRO Housing webpage for more details.

Applications must be submitted by October 15 at 10:59 pm CT. 

Housing Resources & Events

Please share this information with interested residents and community leaders!

Join fellow colleagues for a night of networking and an informative affordable housing presentation at Union Corners featuring guest speakers Madison Mayor Rhodes-Conway, Alderwoman Marsha Rummel, Emily Francis of WHEDA, and Megan Schuetz of Gorman & Company. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in the industry, this event is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn more about the current trends in affordable housing. Join the WI WAHN chapter here, and register for the event here.

FREE Homebuyer Education Class

Saturday, September 21, 8:30am - 3:30pm

Atrium Villager Mall

2300 S Park St., Madison, WI

Take the first step to owning a home and join the Home Buyers Round Table for their Home Buyer Education Workshop. This FREE Homebuyer Education workshop takes place in-person at the Atrium Villager Mall (2300 S Park St, Madison, WI), and lunch will be provided. Certificate of Completion is provided upon completion of class AND a one-on-one counseling session with Consumer Credit Counseling Services. You must attend the entire class to sign up for a counseling session. This course is provided by a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency – Consumer Credit Counseling Service.

The workshop will cover:

• how to find the right home
• how to apply for a mortgage
• credit improvement tips
• how much you can afford
• barriers that can prevent you from qualifying for a mortgage and
• what down payment assistance may be available to you

Register here now!

JustDane Reentry Service Fair

Tuesday, September 24, 5:00 - 6:30pm

Madison College Goodman South Campus

2429 Perry St., Madison, WI

Criminal records can be a barrier preventing renters from accessing stable housing. Reentry services are crucial to assist with establishing safe housing and long-term stability. Meet with local vendors offering resources for employment, education, treatment, support, & housing. Please share this fair as a resource to anyone who may benefit. 

For more info: 

email Kim at kimw@justdane.org 

call 608-256-0906

New Housing Resources for Young Adults in Dane County!

See brochure below for details on new housing programming serving Dane County's young adults ages 24 and below in need of housing support:

Common Wealth Development Hiring a Housing Coordinator

Common Wealth is seeking a Housing & Resident Relations Coordinator to assist with the management of 176 affordable housing units on Madison’s east and west side. This position involves marketing and leasing, compliance, application processing, administrative support, and resident relations. Applicants should have strong administrative and organizational skills. This is a full-time position at 40 hours/week. Compensation is $22.00 per hour, with full benefits. Common Wealth Development offers a $1500.00 (annual) bonus to employees who demonstrate proficiency in Spanish and/or Hmong.

For more information, see the job posting HERE.

Questions?

Send an email to regionalhousing@danecounty.gov for questions or more info on the Dane County Regional Housing Strategy.