Contact:
Rep. William Penterman
(608) 237-9137
Madison, WI – State Representative William Penterman (R – Columbus) released the following statement following today’s bi-partisan State Assembly floor session on workforce housing.
“Today the Wisconsin State Assembly voted on legislation that will have a real impact,” said Representative Penterman. “I am proud to support today’s
package of bills aimed to address workforce housing shortages in Wisconsin. These bills simply make housing in Wisconsin better.”
Assembly Bill 267, authored by Representative Penterman, builds off of legislation that created Wisconsin’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program also
authored by Rep. Penterman and was signed into law last session. This bill improves Wisconsin’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program by making various
tweaks to the list of qualifications to current law that will ensure only well-qualified applicants will be able to receive loans from the Wisconsin Housing
and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). The loans will cap at $50,000, not exceed 15 years, only apply to homes older than 40 years old, and must
be an applicant’s primary residence.
“Wisconsin has a significant workforce housing shortage,” said Representative Penterman. “In order to retain and attract workers, students, businesses,
and families, we want to encourage development where feasible, rehabilitate existing housing stock, and ensure zoning ordinances are applied and enforced
fairly.”
Workforce housing is significantly lacking in Wisconsin due to onerous regulations, zoning practices and ordinances. The bills in these proposals seek to
address the state’s housing crisis and make the dream of homeownership a reality for more Wisconsinites. This package includes legislation to create next-
generation workforce housing, rehabilitate main street housing, upgrade aging housing, and convert vacant commercial developments to residential. It also
includes legislation to increase the low-income housing tax credit from $42 million to $100 million.
This legislation package passed the Assembly today and will be taken up by Senate, then to Governor Evers’ desk.
