Republican State Lawmakers Seeing Co-Sponsor for Bills Regarding Affordable Housing

Thursday, September 25th, 2025 -- 11:01 AM

(Sarah Lehr, Wisconsin Public Radio) Republican state lawmakers are seeking co-sponsors for more than half a dozen bills they say are aimed at increasing Wisconsin’s supply of affordable housing, according to Sarah Lehr with Wisconsin Public Radio.

“When I refer to affordable housing, I want to be clear, we’re not talking about subsidized housing,” said state Rep. Rob Brooks, a Saukville Republican who also works as a real estate broker.

“What I’m talking about is the housing stock that was built just a generation or two ago. We’re talking about small ranch homes, bungalow homes, some of those homes built without garages or alleyways.”

Brooks and other backers introduced the package of bills at a state Capitol news conference Tuesday. They say one of the proposals aims to streamline the process for creating new lots for housing subdivisions.

Another bill would allow smaller homes, known as accessory dwelling units or ADUs, to be built statewide. Those homes, which are often referred to as coach houses, are typically built on the same property near a larger single-family home.

In a cosponsorship memo, state Rep. Joy Goeben, R-Hoebert, said by allowing coach houses across Wisconsin, the bill aims to address the state’s housing shortage and support a “variety of housing options.”

“Under current law, Wisconsin does not have a statewide framework for ADUs, instead it is up to local governments to regulate these types of units,” the memo said.

“This creates a patchwork of regulation across the state, making it confusing for property owners and renters alike. Allowing ADUs statewide, in the limited capacity being proposed in this bill, provides property owners with a reasonable pathway to realize the benefits of ADUs.”

The bill specifies ADUs could be created by converting an existing structure, like a garage, into a home. It also specifies that any accessory dwelling unit created after the bill took effect could not be used as a short-term rental.

Another part of the package would set aside $10 million to create a revolving loan program, allowing first-time home buyers to get second mortgage loans at zero percent interest.

That’s in addition to a bill that would award grants to property owners, so they can convert multi-family housing into condos.

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