Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, a leader in affordable housing solutions, is bringing together business leaders and state legislators from both sides of the aisle on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The discussion will highlight how the housing crisis in the Fox Cities is impacting families, communities, the workforce and beyond.
Lack of affordable housing was cited as a major challenge in the recent Fox Cities Chamber 2025 Economic Outlook Survey — a critical issue in being able to recruit and maintain a robust workforce in the area. While a 2023 study cited nearly 18,000 units would need to be built to accommodate the area’s projected growth over the next 10 years, acquiring those units has only gotten more expensive for developers and buyers on the market.
“The average home in today’s market is around $300,000, but that is far beyond what a first-time homebuyer can afford,” explained John Weyenberg, Fox Cities Habitat CEO. “Fox Cities Habitat has long focused on providing a decent place for everyone to live, but with homeownership so far out of reach for so many in our area, we need to work together to find a solution.”
The state legislators who will be in attendance are:
· Sen. André Jacque (Republican) District 1
· Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat) District 18
· Rep. Ron Tussler (Republican) District 3
· Rep. Joy Goeben (Republican) District 5
· Rep. Lee Snodgrass (Democrat) District 52
· Rep. Dean Kaufert (Republican) District 53
· Rep. Lori Palmeri (Democrat) District 54
Fox Cities Habitat’s Leader Build features business leaders from some of the largest corporations in the Fox Cities, including:
· U.S. Venture/U.S. Lubricants
· Secura Insurance
· Faith Technologies Incorporated
· Encapsys
· NEW Capital Fund, LP
· Katapult
· Community First Credit Union
· Mike Weller and Associates, LLC
As the Fox Cities strives to attract workforce talent to support its growth, a major hurdle is the lack of housing for those moving to the area or looking to move out of a rental property into their first home. Fox Cities Habitat believes nonprofits, legislators and business leaders can work together alongside the community to improve this housing shortage.
Families in need are not just given Habitat for Humanity homes; they must contribute sweat equity in the building process, learn to maintain their home and financially sustain it. Habitat for Humanity builds and sells homes for no profit, and families repay an affordable, zero-interest mortgage on those homes. This is made possible by the efforts of supporters, donors, volunteers and community leaders who believe in Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide everyone with a decent and affordable place to live.
The Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity’s work is made possible through many generous community sponsors. To learn more about the Greater Fox Cities Habitat, or how you can donate or volunteer, please call 920-954-8702 or visit foxcitieshabitat.org.
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About Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity
The Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing organization that believes in a vision of the world where everyone has a decent place to live. This vision is brought to reality through affordable housing solutions which help families become homeowners, help low-income homeowners with critical home repairs, help families improve their financial situations to qualify for homeownership and help current Habitat homeowners through financial emergencies.
For more information and to learn how you can donate or volunteer, visit foxcitieshabitat.org.