MADISON, WI – The State Assembly met today to vote on a sweeping housing package that is intended to increase Wisconsin’s housing supply and rein in housing prices. The package included four proposals introduced by State Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake).
“Wisconsin has a severe housing problem,” Representative Armstrong said. “The median home price has more than doubling in the last 10 years, and there aren’t enough affordable options for would-be first-time home owners. Besides being a problem for potential buyers, this is a problem for employers, as no one wants to work where they can’t afford to live.
“The housing package my colleagues and I passed today will help to improve this situation, and I am proud that four proposals I introduced were included.”
The four Armstrong bills the Assembly approved today are:
- Assembly Bill 194, which grants additional flexibilities to three housing programs the Legislature created in the 2023-2025 session, for which $475 million was allocated. The flexibilities will allow more residential projects to compete for this funding.
- Assembly Bill 280, which updates the Business Development Tax Credit program to allow more employers to claim the credit for investments they make in workforce housing and childcare.
- Assembly Bill 451, which allows municipalities to establish residential tax incremental districts. This will help developers defray the costs of infrastructure – streets, sidewalks, sewers, etc. – in residential developments, which would reduce the price for the homebuyer. AB 451 includes restrictions on lot and house sizes, to ensure that modest, affordable houses benefit.
- Assembly Bill 453, which helps to reduce inconsistencies between a city or village’s comprehensive plan and its residential zoning ordinances. Inconsistencies can create confusion about what types of development are allowed where and can lead to lengthy and expensive negotiations that delay worthwhile projects and increase their costs.
These proposals and the rest of the housing bills the Assembly approved today will go to the Senate for further consideration. A fifth Armstrong bill, Assembly Bill 375 – relating to the Historic Tax Credit – was originally on the October 7 calendar but will be taken up at a later date.
