Representative Dallman Joins Colleagues to Push Housing Reform

Madison, WI --- Today, State Representative Alex Dallman joined several of his Assembly colleagues in a press conference to announce a bill package that will work to address the workforce housing shortage in Wisconsin.

Representative Dallman is the lead author on LRB-4800/1, which would create a certified “shovel ready” workforce housing development site program through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).  This program would identify areas with the prequalification that the property has a clean title, proper zoning, adequate utilities and other infrastructure, has no wetlands, limits all development-related fees to no more than $5,000 a unit, and would receive all necessary development approvals within 60 days after complete applications and building permits are submitted.

“As I talk with citizens, contractors, and business owners from around my district, I have been made aware of the extreme shortage of workforce housing. Housing availability plays a major role in having residents move into our local communities,” said Representative Dallman. “The bills in this package will help to alleviate this shortage and will create a better environment for our local businesses, schools, and local economies to succeed.”

According to a 2019 report titled Falling Behind: Addressing Wisconsin’s Workforce Housing Shortage, communities across Wisconsin are facing severe housing shortages. Areas with growing populations are being hit especially hard, with many reporting major scarcity and affordability problems. Rent cost is growing faster than incomes and construction costs continue to rise as well. 

“This package will focus on addressing three major workforce housing issues: unit shortage, unit affordability, and unit regulation,” said Representative Dallman. “Housing is a large priority for the 41st District and needs to be a priority across Wisconsin.”

Included in this package of bills are reforms to cut bureaucratic red tape and other burdensome regulations, reform outdated industry practices, and equip families with greater resources to build, restore and renovate their homes. There is also a renewed call to create more housing tax credits through existing legislation.

 

####