Wisconsin Builders Association Statement on Signing of Workforce Housing Package
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Alicia Naleid, Director of Communications
(608) 242-5151 ext. 13
Wisconsin Builders Association Statement on Signing of Workforce Housing Package
June 23, 2023 – The Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) commended Governor Evers’ signature of a workforce housing package that will increase the supply of affordable housing in Wisconsin.
“The lack of affordable housing across Wisconsin is at a critical level,” said WBA President Mike Howe. “Funding loans through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority for workforce housing residential infrastructure costs, main street multifamily remodeling projects, the conversion of commercial buildings for housing, and single-family remodeling projects is an important way to lower the cost of housing for many working families throughout Wisconsin. Excessive and outdated regulations add over $93,000 to the final price of a new home, increasing the total by nearly 24 percent. Coupled with 75 percent fewer lots and 55 percent fewer new homes than pre-recession averages, volatile interest rates, and inflated costs of materials, these bills will go a long way in assisting a variety of challenges in the creation of workforce housing.”
“We are thankful for the bipartisan work done to enact this legislation; to our industry partners in advocating for this legislation, Representative Brooks and Senator Quinn for spearheading it, the Joint Committee on Finance for approving funding, the legislature for passing them, and Governor Evers for signing the bills into law,” said WBA Executive Director Brad Boycks. “These measures will provide additional tools for developers, builders, remodelers, and local units of government to build much-needed workforce housing units across Wisconsin.”
###
About the Wisconsin Builders Association
The Wisconsin Builders Association is a professional trade association comprised of 21 local associations dedicated to helping members build communities around the state. We advocate the interests of 4,000 home building industry members to keep housing affordable and accessible for Wisconsin families, Protecting the American Dream for over 70 years.