LA CROSSE, WI – Today, State Senator Brad Pfaff introduced the Democrats’ Affordable Wisconsin Legislative Packages to his home district and discussed the need for more affordable housing across La Crosse and our state. The ‘Health and Housing’ and ‘Families First’ legislative packages, made up of bills proposed by Democratic legislators and killed by Republican majorities, are aimed at cutting the cost of Healthcare, Housing, Childcare, Groceries, and Utilities. These pieces of legislation share a single focus: ensuring Wisconsin becomes a state where everyone can afford to get ahead.
At a time when voters have made it clear that rising costs are hurting their bottom lines, with 96% being very or somewhat concerned with inflation, Wisconsin deserves legislators who understand their needs and have a plan to address them. State Senate Democrats have a plan to deliver lower costs across the state.
State Senator Brad Pfaff on the housing crisis facing Wisconsin families:
“In 2026, according to the Wisconsin Realtors Association, the average home price in the state of Wisconsin is approximately $330,000. Up 6.5% from last year. It is similar here in La Crosse County. The average age of a first-time home buyer is 40 years old. Families, and especially young people here in La Crosse and across Wisconsin, are getting squeezed like never before. The American dream is getting harder and harder to achieve.”
La Crosse County Board Supervisor Grant Mathu on Wisconsin’s need for State Legislative leadership focused on cutting costs:
“It’s no secret that housing and the cost of living in our area have skyrocketed. I know so many people who want to plant roots in La Crosse County, who want to live here, contribute, and work hard. But it’s very difficult when you can’t afford rent or your mortgage. At the local lever we are seeing counties and cities working hard to address this through promoting housing development and really trying to make the American dream possible for so many Wisconsinites. But we need state legislative leadership that agrees with us and wants to work to make things better. I know State Senator Pfaff and his colleagues are doing exactly that, to try and improve affordability in a meaningful and tangible way.”
La Crosse County Board Supervisor Kelly Leibold on the housing needs of La Crosse County and Wisconsin:
“La Crosse County recently conducted a housing needs assessment, and this study recommended adding almost 5,000 housing units within the next decade. This includes specifically 1,000 entry-level homes and 2,100 workforce-priced apartments. Now let’s zoom out from La Crosse County. When we look at the entire state of Wisconsin, our housing stock is the 12th-oldest in the nation, and 20% of households in the state earn less than $35,000 a year. We’ve seen property values skyrocket, hedge funds buying up single-family homes, so of course, things are unaffordable. This is a very unsustainable model.”
