Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, a leader in affordable housing solutions, is proud to have played an instrumental role in the development and crafting of Assembly Bill 454. For two years, Fox Cities Habitat, along with Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout Wisconsin, worked together to set the precedent for an affordable housing solution that will support rural and urban areas all across the state.
This bill, authored by Sen. Jesse James and Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, establishes a workforce home loan program administered through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), designed to help working families achieve homeownership near their places of employment. By providing supplemental, zero-interest financing, AB454 makes housing more accessible and affordable for Wisconsin’s workforce.
“We knew our voices alone were not enough, but together we could help to formulate real change across the state,” explained John Weyenberg, CEO of Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity. “We shared our experiences and stories directly with lawmakers, we engaged in countless conversations and provided local insights to help illustrate the real-life impact of housing challenges. Then we provided evidence of how Habitat for Humanity’s work is providing a framework for real-life solutions to these problems.”
There is a significant gap between what an average family can afford to pay for a home and what homes are actually selling for. In many parts of Wisconsin, one-in-five households is cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income for housing, leaving families short of necessities like food, clothing, childcare, education and healthcare.
This bill seeks to close the gap through 0% financing, giving more families the opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership and start building home equity and wealth. This innovative approach is expected to save eligible homebuyers up to $270 per month, making homeownership a reality for more families across the state.
“Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin, together with its 29 local Habitat affiliates, continues to play a leading role in addressing the state’s housing crisis and expanding pathways to homeownership. This legislation builds on that leadership by strengthening our commitment at the state level to support long-term economic stability and increase access to affordable housing. By establishing a workforce home loan program, we are directly addressing the barriers that too many first-time homebuyers face, from rising costs to limited access to credit,” explained Peter Lewandowski, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin. “This initiative not only empowers individuals and families to achieve the milestone of owning a home but also helps build stronger communities and a more resilient workforce across our state. It is an investment in both our people and our future.”
Currently, there is not enough housing to meet the demand for it across the entire state. This bill reflects an important milestone in Wisconsin’s efforts to expand access to affordable housing. The passage of AB454 reflects a collaborative effort among advocates, organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the bipartisan support of several lawmakers, including:
“This bill is not just about housing; it’s about empowering families and building strong communities,” Weyenberg continued. “By reducing financial barriers to homeownership, we’re creating opportunities for families to live closer to their jobs, improve their quality of life and contribute to the vitality of their communities.”
Recognizing that housing challenges transcend county lines, Habitat for Humanity affiliates across Wisconsin joined forces, uniting their voices and shared experiences to spotlight the need for innovative solutions at the state level. The Fox Cities Habitat’s model is built on partnership, where homeowners invest their own time, effort and resources into achieving homeownership through a zero-interest mortgage.
For more information about Fox Cities Habitat, its homeownership programs, or how you can get involved, visit foxcitieshabitat.org.
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.