Wisconsin Republicans Pitch Housing Fix by Cutting Red Tape for Builders

“This is a shortage that’s coming from multiple angles...we’re lacking new construction, we’re lacking the ability to develop lots.“ -Mary Duff, Wisconsin Realtors Association

The latest proposal at the Wisconsin Capitol to find more affordable housing in the state focuses on cutting red tape for builders and young people.

A handful of Republicans on Thursday introduced their housing reform plan. Among the proposals is a focus on cutting red tape, giving developers and builders tax credits to build new homes, and pushing local communities to allow more homes to be built.

The number two Republican in the Assembly, Rep. Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said the lack of affordable homes is driving up the price of homes, particularly first homes.

“We need to look into regulations,” Rep. Rob Summerfield, R-Bloomer, said at a statehouse news conference. “Local communities also need to look to see what they can do to help.”

Steineke is a realtor himself.

“Wisconsin’s media age for first time home buyers is now 33,” Steineke explained. “Wisconsin is running a migration deficit with individuals ages 20-24. Wisconsin also has the lowest homeownership rate for households aged 25-34 and 35-44 than all neighboring states, except Illinois.”

“When you have younger kids that are coming out of college and getting their first jobs, and they’re unable to afford their first home because of rising prices and the lack of available housing it’s a serious problem.

He said the lack of homes is hurting the state’s effort to keep young workers and young families in Wisconsin.

Cutting Red Tape for Builders

Mary Duff with the Wisconsin Realtors Association said it’s a problem not just in high growth areas like the WOW counties or the Fox Valley.

“This is a shortage that’s coming from multiple angles,” Duff said Thursday. “We’re lacking new construction, we’re lacking the ability to develop lots. “

There’s no word when the Republicans plan to vote on their new housing plans.

Democrats at the Wisconsin Capitol, including Gov. Evers have proposed their own affordable housing plans. Those proposals, however, focus on helping people pay their rent, or helping people find apartments in high-demand areas.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wauwatosa Tells City Workers to Avoid Red & Green Christmas Decorations

Image
The City of Wauwatosa has instructed city workers that they should avoid using red and green in public spaces to celebrate Christmas. Instead, top city officials are urging them to decorate counters with purple and blue instead. The email went out this week from Deputy City Administrator Melissa Cantarero Weiss. It also notes that City Administrator James Archambo is on board with the instructions. In it, she urged city workers to embrace “inclusive decorating practices” and make Wauwatosa’s municipal buildings a “place that everyone can feel comfortable visiting throughout the holiday season.” City workers were urged to “opt for more neutral and inclusive decorations.” We received the email from multiple sources who questioned why Wauwatosa was making this a priority when the city has far more pressing issues. Even the White House doesn't go that far ; after all there is a National Christmas Tree. [caption id="attachment_155412" align="alignleft" wid...
Read more

The Coast Guard Academy’s Newest DEI Push

Image
By Michael R. Shevock DEI is a bad idea. It is divisive, racist, and anti-meritocratic. Coleman Hughes , Ayaan Hirsi Ali , Elon Musk , and a host of other first-rate minds have vigorously come out against it.  Yet, our Coast Guard leadership continues to promote it without discussion or debate. For an objective observer, that should be the first clue that something is very, very wrong. Supporters of this ideology are fond of the term ‘cultural competence,’ which they seem to believe is obtainable in a seminar or a classroom, but there are other paths to knowledge. For example, I enjoyed twenty-eight years in federal law enforcement, which, among other things, afforded me familiarity with the inside of a crack-house. Here are are some things I learned first-hand: (1) Underclass black America is indeed suffering unacceptable levels of violence and generational poverty; (2) Malcolm X was absolutely correct when he identified white liberals as an impediment to the progr...
Read more

Tony Evers' Appointee's Parolee Is Person of Interest in Elkhorn Homicides

Image
One of the criminals freed by Gov. Tony Evers' appointee on the state Parole Commission is now a person of interest in the double homicide of Gina and Emerson Weingart in an Elkhorn bar. [caption id="attachment_161199" align="alignleft" width="225"] Thomas Routt Jr[/caption] Thomas Routt Jr. 57, was named by his story to WTMJ-TV, but the attorney says he denies wrongdoing. So far, police have not confirmed the name, although they revealed on Monday that a person of interest is in custody. The Weingarts were both found shot to death inside the Sports Page Barr in Elkhorn in a crime that has shocked the community. Now it turns out the person police have in custody is on the streets because Evers' appointee decided to free him.   Thomas Routt Jr. Paroled in 2020 Corrections' records confirm that Routt was released in August 2020 on parole. A press release from Gov. Evers said that John Tate, his controversial appointee to run ...
Read more