The need for more affordable housing in Waukesha County has gained a generous amount of mainstream media coverage lately. Take a look at the articles in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Waukesha Freeman listed in the "In the News" section of this blog, to the right. The top three articles have run over the past three weeks. To see the entire Waukesha Freeman article, visit our web page. Click on the attachment at the bottom of the page.
The issue is also creating some buzz in the blogosphere. Here's some links to related recent posts on the Political Environment, one of BlogNetNews/Wisconsin's highest-rated blogs:
Affordable Housing Needed Action More Than Words
Milwaukee Continues to Build Affordable Housing: Will Suburbs Do Their Share?
Race Corrodes a Region in Denial
Please share any other coverage you've seen.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Affordable housing dominates public hearing
Ten of the fourteen speakers at tonight's public hearing addressed the need for more affordable housing in Waukesha County. The public hearing was conducted by the Waukesha County Park and Planning Commission at the Waukesha County Expo. Center, to consider adoption of the updated Waukesha County Development Plan.
The 10 speakers who addressed affordable housing all opposed the adoption of the development plan in its current form because it lacks concrete measures to provide more affordable housing for the county's workforce, for those in the county who have disabilities or are elderly, and for the next generation of the county's families. Five active members of the Waukesha County Affordable Housing Task Force spoke, also representing SOPHIA, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council, and IndependenceFirst. Two other speakers were from organizations that officially endorse the creation of a county housing trust fund, Community Action Coalition of South Central Wisconsin, Inc. and Disability Rights Wisconsin. The remaining three spoke as county residents or on behalf of Pledl Law Office.
Several speakers objected to the plan's recommendation that the County work with municipalities to study the feasibility of an affordable housing trust fund, because it fails to commit to establishing a housing trust fund on a county level and unnecessarily requests further study of a well-defined problem. The task force is recommending the following wording instead: "The County will work with affordable housing stake holders to create an affordable housing trust fund at the county level." It's been done elsewhere. There are 83 county housing trust funds nationally, according to the Center for Community Change.
If you'd like to submit written comments about the comprehensive development plan, it's not too late. You have until Thursday, Jan. 15 at 4:30 p.m. to submit them, to:
Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use
Attn: Comprehensive Development Plan Hearing
515 W. Moreland Blvd., Room AC 230
Waukesha, WI 53188
FAX: 262-896-8071
The 10 speakers who addressed affordable housing all opposed the adoption of the development plan in its current form because it lacks concrete measures to provide more affordable housing for the county's workforce, for those in the county who have disabilities or are elderly, and for the next generation of the county's families. Five active members of the Waukesha County Affordable Housing Task Force spoke, also representing SOPHIA, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council, and IndependenceFirst. Two other speakers were from organizations that officially endorse the creation of a county housing trust fund, Community Action Coalition of South Central Wisconsin, Inc. and Disability Rights Wisconsin. The remaining three spoke as county residents or on behalf of Pledl Law Office.
Several speakers objected to the plan's recommendation that the County work with municipalities to study the feasibility of an affordable housing trust fund, because it fails to commit to establishing a housing trust fund on a county level and unnecessarily requests further study of a well-defined problem. The task force is recommending the following wording instead: "The County will work with affordable housing stake holders to create an affordable housing trust fund at the county level." It's been done elsewhere. There are 83 county housing trust funds nationally, according to the Center for Community Change.
If you'd like to submit written comments about the comprehensive development plan, it's not too late. You have until Thursday, Jan. 15 at 4:30 p.m. to submit them, to:
Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use
Attn: Comprehensive Development Plan Hearing
515 W. Moreland Blvd., Room AC 230
Waukesha, WI 53188
FAX: 262-896-8071
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Creating Communities Campaign Begins
On Tuesday evening, over 70 people came to Steinhafel's in Waukesha to support our campaign for a housing trust fund in Waukesha County, the Creating Communities Campaign. Those in attendance were primarily members of faith groups and nonprofit organizations, and also included developers and representatives of local and state governmental agencies. Thanks to all those who attended to display community concern for the crucial issue of affordable housing in our county. We are also thankful to the Adaptive Community Approach Program for its donation of wonderful hearty snacks for the event.
So, what happens next? Representatives of the Affordable Housing Task Force have a preliminary meeting scheduled with County Executive Daniel Vrakas on December 16, to present the proposal for a Waukesha County housing trust fund. Prior to that meeting, let's bring to his attention that the community is supportive of this effort. To do so, go to the bottom of our web page for his e-mail address and examples of talking points to raise. In your e-mail, please thank County Executive Vrakas for considering legislation to create a housing trust fund to address the lack of affordable housing in our county.
The next meeting of the Affordable Housing Task Force is next Wed., Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Brookfield. Join us if you can. Also feel free to reply with any questions or comments you have.
So, what happens next? Representatives of the Affordable Housing Task Force have a preliminary meeting scheduled with County Executive Daniel Vrakas on December 16, to present the proposal for a Waukesha County housing trust fund. Prior to that meeting, let's bring to his attention that the community is supportive of this effort. To do so, go to the bottom of our web page for his e-mail address and examples of talking points to raise. In your e-mail, please thank County Executive Vrakas for considering legislation to create a housing trust fund to address the lack of affordable housing in our county.
The next meeting of the Affordable Housing Task Force is next Wed., Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Brookfield. Join us if you can. Also feel free to reply with any questions or comments you have.
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