Development

As recommended in the City’s initial 2016 Housing Study, conducting regular updates to the Housing Study document is necessary to address changing housing markets and community needs.

Row of charming houses with manicured lawns and mature trees lining a sidewalk on a sunny day.
Three suburban houses with green lawns and trees in the background.
Modern mixed-use buildings with apartments above retail spaces on a street corner.

Housing Study & Needs Assessment (2025 Update)

Shifts in the housing market caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the availability of post-pandemic demographic and housing data, prompted an update of key housing and demographic data to understand evolving housing preferences and market trends, resulting in the 2025 Housing Study Update.

Housing Study & Needs Assessment (2023)

For the 2023 update, a public open house was held on September 21, 2022. A brief presentation was given and attendees had the opportunity to provide input on various housing topics.

On February 7, 2023, SB Friedman, the consultant that performed the updated analysis, presented the findings to the Committee of the Whole. The final Housing Study & Needs Assessment document was discussed at the Community Affairs Committee on February 28, 2023 and accepted by the Common Council on March 7, 2023.

For reference, the Glossary of Housing Programs, Terms and Definitions provides description of common vocabulary used in housing discussions.

Housing Study & Needs Analysis (2016)

In 2016, we conducted a city-wide Housing Study and Needs Analysis. The results of the first city-wide Housing Study & Needs Analysis will help decision makers, stakeholders and community members develop a meaningful sense of the housing market and key housing issues. The study provides a measured assessment of present and future unmet housing types that focuses on creating a deeper understanding of short-to-mid-term housing demand (5-year, 10-year, 15-year). The report offers a solid, data-driven basis for formulating community-specific housing priorities, which are being discussed by the Community Affairs Committee.

The Common Council then created a Housing Policy and Action Plan to meet the housing needs identified in the previously completed comprehensive study.

The Housing Policy has the following recommendations:

  1. Modify the City’s Economic Development Investment Policy (EDIP) to include preference for the specific types of unmet housing needs identified in the most recent Housing Study in order to formalize this policy consideration as part of the EDIP and financial assistance application evaluation process.
  2. Identify developers that have experience undertaking affordable housing tax credit projects and building the types of needed housing identified in the Housing Study. Continually inform developers of the City’s updated EDIP and work to coordinate potential projects.
  3. Coordinate with Milwaukee County for use of HOME funds in affordable housing developments to maximize financial incentives that are available for needed housing projects. Additionally, consider the use of the City’s affordable housing funds for projects that incorporate a high percentage of units that address a need in the most recent Housing Study.
  4. Continue evaluating appropriate sites in the City for housing developments that address unmet needs and connect property owners and developers when appropriate.
  5. Issue Requests for Proposal for City-owned land appropriate for housing development to address unmet housing needs as the opportunity arises.
  6. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars will continue to fund a housing rehab program for low/moderate income, eligible homeowners of single-family homes or duplexes to make code compliance and/or emergency repairs, efficiency upgrades, and accessibility modifications. Should it become necessary, staff will analyze and evaluate different program options using these and other potential funds and work within the budget process to determine feasibility.
  7. Promote Milwaukee County Housing Division’s below-market-rate loan program to eligible, low-­income owner-occupants of single-family homes to make necessary repairs and accessibility modifications to their dwellings.
  8. Promote Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority’s (WHEDA) low-interest loans for home improvements.
  9. Evaluate and adopt an Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Ordinance through the Ordinance adoption process for the purpose of increasing affordable rental options, presenting potential new income streams for homeowners and providing additional living arrangement options for family members or caretakers living on-site, seniors or other residents with special needs.
  10. Evaluate and adopt consistent, relevant and appropriate modifications to the Zoning Code to facilitate a greater variety of housing types and reduce the cost of housing construction.

Housing Affordability Report and Housing Fee Report

In 2017, Act 243 was passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature. It requires all cities and villages with a population of 10,000 or greater to complete and annually post to their municipal website a Housing Affordability Report and a Housing Fee Report.