Habitats across Wisconsin mobilize to pass groundbreaking bill

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region, a leader in affordable housing solutions, is proud to have played an instrumental role in the development and crafting of Assembly Bill 454. For two years, Habitat La Crosse, along with Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout Wisconsin, worked together to set the precedent for an affordable housing solution that will work in rural, suburban, and urban areas across the state.

This bill, authored by Sen. Jesse James and Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, establishes a workforce home loan program administered through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), designed to help working families achieve homeownership near their places of employment. By providing supplemental, zero-interest financing, AB454 makes housing more accessible and affordable for Wisconsin’s workforce.

“We brought the stories and experiences from our community directly to our lawmakers in Madison, and they listened,” said Kahya Fox, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region. “They heard us when we said that folks are struggling to find safe and accessible housing. This bill offers another tool in our toolbox to build homes that people can truly afford.”

There is a significant gap between what an average family can afford to pay for a home and what homes are actually selling for. In many parts of Wisconsin, one in five households is cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income for housing, leaving families short of necessities like food, clothing, childcare, education and healthcare.

This bill seeks to close the gap through 0% financing to give more families the chance to afford the American dream of homeownership and begin building equity and wealth. This innovative approach is expected to save eligible homebuyers up to $270 per month, making homeownership a reality for more families across the state.

“Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin, together with its 29 local Habitat affiliates, continues to play a leading role in addressing the state’s housing crisis and expanding pathways to homeownership. This legislation builds on that leadership by strengthening our commitment at the state level to support long-term economic stability and increase access to affordable housing. By establishing a workforce home loan program, we are directly addressing the barriers that too many first-time homebuyers face, from rising costs to limited access to credit,” explained Peter Lewandowski, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin. “This initiative not only empowers individuals and families to achieve the milestone of owning a home but also helps build stronger communities and a more resilient workforce across our state. It is an investment in both our people and our future.”

Currently, there is not enough housing to meet the demand for it across the entire state. The passage of AB454 reflects an important milestone in Wisconsin’s efforts to expand access to affordable housing. The passage of this bill reflects a collaborative effort among advocates, organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the bipartisan support of many lawmakers, including those representing the Greater La Crosse Region.

Representative Steve Doyle, coauthor of AB454, shared, “Our community, and Wisconsin in general, desperately needs access to more affordable housing. That’s why I was glad to sign on to this workforce home loan revolving loan program, and to see it become law. I look forward to seeing this program get off the ground and get people into the affordable housing they need.”

Senator Brad Pfaff, original cosponsor of AB454 and its companion Senate Bill 476, reflected, “As housing costs continue to rise, it’s critical that we find innovative ways to make the dream of homeownership a reality for working families across Wisconsin. I was proud to support this new workforce home revolving loan program, which will help bridge the financial gap for families looking to purchase a home and put down roots right here in the Coulee Region.”

Recognizing that housing challenges transcend county lines, Habitat for Humanity affiliates across Wisconsin joined forces, uniting their voices and shared experiences to spotlight the need for innovative solutions at the state level.