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Wisconsin Faces Dire Housing Crisis, Senator Baldwin Says

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/1 .. es-dire-housing-crisis-senator-baldwin-says.html
  Published in House and Home on Saturday, February 14th 2026 at 8:35 GMT by WBAY
      Locales: Wisconsin, UNITED STATES

GREEN BAY, WI - February 14th, 2026 - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin concluded a series of town halls and site visits across Wisconsin today, focusing on the state's increasingly dire housing affordability crisis. Her stop in Green Bay, held yesterday, served as a crucial platform for dialogue with local officials, housing advocates, and, most importantly, the residents directly impacted by escalating housing costs.

Speaking to a packed meeting at the Green Bay Community Center, Senator Baldwin reiterated her commitment to addressing what she termed a "fundamental challenge" facing Wisconsin families. "For too long, the dream of homeownership, even secure rental housing, has been slipping away for far too many Wisconsinites," she stated. "The current situation isn't just an economic issue; it's a moral one. Access to safe, affordable housing is a basic human need."

The crisis, Baldwin explained, is a complex interplay of several factors. While rising interest rates - currently averaging 7.25% for a 30-year fixed mortgage as of January 2026 - have undoubtedly tightened budgets, they represent only a portion of the problem. Increased material costs, stemming from ongoing supply chain disruptions and global economic pressures, have significantly inflated construction expenses. This has led to a slowdown in new building starts, exacerbating the existing shortage of housing units.

Data released last week by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) indicates the state faces a shortfall of approximately 140,000 affordable housing units. This gap is widening, with demand outpacing supply at an alarming rate. The report details a particularly acute shortage of housing accessible to households earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Baldwin stressed that the burden of the crisis falls disproportionately on low- and middle-income families, essential workers, seniors on fixed incomes, and communities of color. These groups already face systemic barriers to wealth accumulation and are often priced out of increasingly competitive housing markets. The ripple effects are felt across the economy, impacting workforce participation and overall community stability.

During the Green Bay meeting, Baldwin outlined a comprehensive strategy to tackle the issue. This strategy centers around three core pillars: incentivizing development, expanding assistance programs, and regulatory reform. She highlighted the need to significantly expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), a crucial tool for financing affordable housing projects. "We need to make the LIHTC more effective and accessible, particularly for smaller developers working in rural and underserved areas," Baldwin stated. She is currently co-sponsoring legislation that would increase the annual allocation of LIHTC and streamline the application process.

Furthermore, Baldwin advocated for increased funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), which helps low-income families afford rent. However, she acknowledged that increased funding alone isn't sufficient. "We also need to encourage landlords to accept vouchers," she said. "We're exploring initiatives to provide incentives and address discriminatory practices that prevent voucher holders from accessing housing."

The third pillar of Baldwin's plan focuses on removing regulatory barriers to housing development. This includes streamlining the permitting process, reducing unnecessary zoning restrictions, and promoting innovative housing solutions like accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and modular construction. She particularly emphasized the need to address exclusionary zoning practices that effectively limit the density of housing and perpetuate segregation. She noted that several municipalities in Wisconsin are now piloting "missing middle housing" initiatives, which encourage the construction of a variety of housing types - duplexes, townhouses, and small apartment buildings - in traditionally single-family neighborhoods.

Following the meeting, Baldwin toured the newly completed "Riverbend Residences," a 48-unit affordable housing complex in Green Bay. She spoke with residents, hearing firsthand accounts of the challenges they faced before securing housing and the positive impact Riverbend Residences has had on their lives. "It's inspiring to see projects like this come to fruition," Baldwin said. "But we need hundreds more like it across the state."

Local housing advocates expressed cautious optimism about Baldwin's commitment. "Senator Baldwin understands the urgency of this situation and has consistently been a champion for affordable housing," said Sarah Miller, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Housing Coalition. "We're hopeful that her leadership will translate into meaningful policy changes and increased investment in affordable housing solutions." The fight, however, is far from over. Experts predict that unless decisive action is taken, the Wisconsin housing crisis will continue to worsen, impacting the state's economic future and the well-being of its citizens.