Toni Herkert, the Government Affairs Director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, released the following statement after the Governor signed Assembly Bill 194 into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 237 and Senate Bill 480 into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 235.
“Housing is one of the top concerns we hear from members. Some cities and villages haven’t seen new housing developments in years, sometimes decades, while other communities are simply unable to offer affordable workforce and senior housing options for their residents. There’s no one catch-all fix to advance the availability and affordability of housing options for Wisconsinites. Addressing Wisconsin’s housing crisis requires an ‘all the above’ approach, and today’s bill signings provide new and exciting opportunities.”
“Many Wisconsin municipalities have made significant efforts to promote housing. These new laws allow these communities to see their aspirations come to fruition. Because of today’s action, foundations will be poured, shingles will be laid, and Wisconsinites will cross the threshold into new homes. With new tools in the toolbox, developers, municipalities, and realtors can work together to advance the range of new housing options that will soon emerge throughout the state in communities of all sizes.”
“We want to express our appreciation to Governor Evers, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Elmer Moore, and the authors of AB 194 and SB 480, Senators Quinn and Feyen and Representatives Armstrong and Brooks, for their continued bipartisan leadership on the promotion of housing solutions for Wisconsin! The League is honored to have been and continue to be one of a handful of groups at the table as part of our ongoing efforts to address Wisconsin’s housing crisis.”
Act 237 makes important modifications to the low-interest workforce housing loan programs at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. These changes will allow last session’s monumental investment of $525 million to live up to its full potential. Act 235 creates a structure for Workforce Housing Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs). This tool will allow municipalities to take an active role in addressing the costs of infrastructure for affordable residential developments. Today’s bill signings build on other housing initiatives supported by the League that are already enacted, including Act 120 to allow neighborhood improvement districts to be established for the purpose of fronting housing infrastructure costs.
