HUDSON – A groundbreaking initiative has been launched to tackle the housing shortage in western Wisconsin, focusing on Dunn, Pierce, Pepin, Polk, and St. Croix counties. The new Housing Co-op initiative aims to provide much-needed housing inventory for families and individuals seeking affordable housing options in rural communities across the region.

Stakeholders, including local lenders, subcontractors, contractors, suppliers, and various community organizations and leaders will be part of the collaborative endeavor. This partnership is designed to pool resources and expertise to create sustainable housing solutions that will benefit the region for years to come.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the co-op with a $45,800 Co-op Development Grant Funding.

“If we want to keep our rural communities growing, there has to be an available stock of affordable, quality housing for families,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “The Housing Co-Op is an innovative solution to meeting these needs, and WEDC is excited to be part of this initiative.”

Target demographics for the initiative includes households with incomes ranging from $53,000 to $76,000 in Polk, Dunn, and Pepin counties, and $74,000 to $99,000 in Pierce and St. Croix counties. These income brackets reflect the economic diversity of the region and the pressing need for housing that is both affordable and accessible to working families.

“Our goal is to ensure that our communities have the housing availability they need to attract and retain residents, ultimately contributing to a thriving local economy,” said Steve Jahn, Executive Director, Momentum West Wisconsin. “By bringing together key players from various sectors, we are confident that we can create housing solutions that will not only meet the current demand but also support future growth in Western Wisconsin.”

Objectives include a focus on the development of new single-family homes in the range of $200,000 - $300,000.

“We know that there is a critical shortage of affordable housing inventory in western Wisconsin, restricting hard-working families from living near schools, jobs, healthcare and easily accessible food resources,” said Kristie Smith, Executive Director, St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity.  “At Habitat, we are focused on creating housing solutions for families that begin the path to long term generational wealth and sustainable outcomes. Collectively, the Coop supports our shared goal to target a gap in the housing market for families making incomes that fall below the Area Median Income.”

“This effort represents a new way of addressing the affordable housing challenge in our communities.,” said Rick Bonlender, VP Commercial Loan Officer, Pillar Bank. “As a business banker, my small business owners and bank customers need workforce housing, childcare, and thriving rural communities to grow.”

The Housing Co-op invites interested parties and potential partners to join this important effort to strengthen the region’s housing market and contribute to the long-term prosperity of Western Wisconsin.

For more information about the Housing Co-op and how you can get involved, please contact Kristie Smith ( ExecutiveDirector@scvhabitat.org) or visit Coop | St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity (scvhabitat.org).

Submitted by St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity