On Tuesday, Assembly Republicans unveiled their package of housing bills aimed at increasing the supply of housing for the working class through mortgage and loan assistance, tax increment districts (TIDs), zoning, repayment structures, and more. We cannot move Wisconsin forward if we do not make housing more affordable for Wisconsinites. This affects both rural and urban communities, which is why there are so many stakeholders involved in this process.

The data shows that Wisconsin is facing a housing crisis, and there are three primary contributing factors causing this. First, the average age of a first time home-buyer is 38 years old. The main reason for this is because housing prices are rising faster than wages and it is taking longer for the average person to accumulate enough wealth to purchase a home. The second factor is the average price of a home in Wisconsin is approximately $340,000, which far exceeds the price most working families can afford. The last factor is Wisconsin's affordability crisis is worse than most states. Over the last 15 years, Wisconsin has built fewer housing units per capita than the national average, and our affordability is worse than our surrounding Midwest neighbors. The overall objective of this package of bills is to address this affordability crisis and expand access to homes that are affordable at an earlier age for the working class.

The Assembly is approaching this from a variety of angles. First, the Assembly is proposing the creation of Workforce Housing Tax Increment Districts (TIDs). Currently, TIDs are primarily used to incentivize commercial improvements in blighted areas. The proposed legislation will utilize this proven economic development tool to construct workforce housing. This new policy will create a prime environment for development by directing the new tax revenue collected from a new housing project towards subdivision infrastructure like sewers, roads, etc.

Next, we want to make it easier for existing homeowners to construct Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their property by eliminating arbitrary local restrictions on their construction. The legislation balances the interests of neighborhoods in regulating unsightly development with the need for additional housing units.

Finally, the package will provide increased certainty and greater transparency for developers as they seek approval from local governments for construction permitting. Often, local governments provide developers with one set of rules during the project’s planning stage, only to have those rules change as the project progresses. These hurdles increase costs that are ultimately passed along to the buyer when the project is complete.

Assembly Republicans realize the urgency of this housing and affordability crisis in Wisconsin, which is why we are working with key stakeholders such as the Wisconsin Builders Association, Wisconsin Realtors Association, and more. These bills offer feasible solutions that work to permanently fix the housing crisis, not just put a temporary band-aid over it. By lowering the cost of housing and getting more first-time buyers in homes, we can boost our economy and move our state forward by encouraging more people to settle in (and enjoy) Wisconsin.

Watch the press conference to learn more