Baldwin Delivers $7 Million for Dane County to Expand Affordable Housing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced she helped deliver a $7 million investment to expand affordable housing in Dane County. The federal investment, which Senator Baldwin supported in annual funding legislation for 2024, will help build nearly 50 affordable homes, help address zoning and building codes, engage with new developers, and support infrastructure and affordable multi-family rental development.

“In almost every community in Wisconsin I visit, I hear from hard-working families who are struggling to find housing in their budget, and I’m committed to being part of the solution to boost the housing stock and bring down costs across the Badger State,” said Senator Baldwin. “This investment for Dane County will help build nearly 50 homes for Wisconsin families, remove barriers and lay the groundwork for future affordable housing development so more families can live in the communities they love.”

The federal funding will be used to help build 47 new affordable housing units. The investment will remove barriers to affordable housing by implementing a countywide strategy to address municipal building codes that restrict affordable and multi-family unit housing. The funding will also go towards supporting nonprofit and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) developers – who historically struggle with access to capital – therefore building capacity for future affordable housing development.

"I want to extend my gratitude to Senator Tammy Baldwin for her commitment to ensuring Dane County remains a place where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing. Senator Baldwin’s efforts in helping secure the federal resources needed to empower Dane County’s Housing Access and Affordability team will have generational impacts,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “This funding will equip our team with the tools necessary to collaborate with local governments in removing barriers to housing while expanding capacity for affordable and inclusive development.”

The investment comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing), which empowers communities to remove barriers to affordable housing – including restrictive zoning designations, land use policies, or regulations; deteriorating or inadequate infrastructure; or challenges to preserving existing housing stock such as increasing threats from natural hazards, redevelopment that reduces the number of affordable units, displacement pressures, or expiration of affordability requirements.

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