Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Assembly today passed a package of workforce housing legislation intended to encourage developers to build more affordable homes, support first-time buyers, and foster real estate development across the state.
Workforce housing, often conflated with “affordable housing,” refers to housing options designed for middle-income workers—such as teachers, nurses, first responders, and other essential professionals—who earn too much to qualify for traditional low-income housing programs but struggle to afford market-rate homes in their communities.
“Wisconsin’s workforce housing crisis has made it increasingly difficult for middle-class families, young professionals, and essential workers to find stable, affordable places to live,” said Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha). “These bills are practical solutions, including home loan programs, condominium conversions, and regulatory reforms, that encourage residential development.”
Rep. Allen coauthored AB 456, which modernizes real estate practices to ensure fairer transactions and greater transparency in residential property dealings by updating rules on compensation, referrals, and disclosures. Also coauthored is AB 452, which streamlines subdivision plat approvals, cutting red tape to accelerate the development of new residential areas and helping local governments respond more efficiently to housing demands.
“These targeted reforms are vital for spurring construction and ensuring that Wisconsinites can afford to live where they work,” said Rep. Allen. “This doesn’t fix all of our housing issues, but it is another step in the right direction.”
