Search this site

Quote

"We must become the change we want to see in the world".
-Mohandas Gandhi.

Affordable Housing

YouTube Video

The Need for More Affordable Housing

Many people in Waukesha County communities, such as our neighbors who are elderly or have disabilities, need more housing that they can afford.  Workers and their families need more affordable housing, too. 

Over one in four households in Waukesha County pays more than they can really afford on housing (as defined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development).  This need for more affordable housing affects us all, directly or indirectly. 

Developing more affordable housing encourages our schools to maintain their high quality by holding on to qualified teachers.  It also supports the health of our local businesses by retaining and gaining workers that can live near their jobs.

Watch the video to see how the lack of affordable housing in the county affects real people and the communities in which they live.  And learn what we can do about it. 


Affordable Homes in Waukesha County

The Truth About Affordable Housing   

Some common misconceptions exist about affordable housing.  For example, one MYTH is that it increases the amount of crime in an area.  The TRUTH is that research has found introducing affordable housing into a neighborhood does NOT result in an increase in crime.  In fact, new affordable housing can actually DECREASE the neighborhood crime rate when it replaces older, broken-down housing.

A related MYTH is that affordable housing decreases area property values.  The TRUTH is that well over 100 studies have concluded that affordable housing does NOT reduce area property values.  Affordable housing can actually INCREASE surrounding property values, especially in higher income areas.

Another MYTH is that affordable housing does not look nice.  The TRUTH is that affordable housing developments have had AWARD-WINNING designs, recognized by the prestigious American Institute of Architects. The slide show on the right demonstrates how ATTRACTIVE affordable housing looks in Waukesha County.

Talking Points for E-mails to County Officials

  • The availability of affordable housing in Waukesha County is insufficient for the high level of job growth. Employers could face a labor shortage within the next 15 years, if more affordable housing is not developed nearby.
  • The demand for affordable housing is high, because stagnant wages and rising goods prices are decreasing residents' ability to pay as much for housing costs.
  • With the median price for a house at nearly a quarter of a million dollars, employees such as teachers and police officers cannot afford even a modest house in the county on one income.
  • Reducing housing costs stimulates the local economy by allowing residents to spend more at area businesses on other necessities.
  • I urge you to support the creation of a housing trust fund to assist with the development of more affordable housing in Waukesha County. Your support demonstrates your commitment to the economic health of the community. 
  • Every dollar of county housing trust funds nationwide leverages an average of $10.46 in other public and private funding sources, attracting revenue to the area to create affordable homes.

   Take Action!  

SOPHIA endorses the efforts of the Waukesha County Affordable Housing Task Force to create a housing trust fund as a means to develop more affordable housing in the county.  Here's how you can support the creation of a Waukesha County housing trust fund:
  • Learn more:

Check the task force blog and website for current discussions and comments.
Read the information in the attachments at the bottom of this page.     

  • Monthly action for May:

Learn more about the Waukesha County board supervisors! Ask the people you know, including in your organizations, if they know any of the county board supervisors. Click here for a list of their names and districts.

If so, find out if s/he may be interested in learning more about a housing trust fund in the county. If not, do some research online to find out more about your supervisor. Send any information you find to Heather Dummer Combs at heatherdc@interfaithconference.org. This information will help us get to know the supervisors' interests and values before meeting with them.

  • Monthly action for June:
Attend a training session on how to promote a housing trust fund in the county using an educational toolkit.  The training session is on Monday, June 8 at 2-3:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church West (UUCW) in Brookfield.  Mark your calendars now, and stay tuned for registration information and directions to UUCW.
  • E-mail Waukesha County officials:
Encourage the following officials to support a housing trust fund:
   
County Executive Daniel P. Vrakas:
  
Your county board supervisor:
To determine who is your county board supervisor:
To find his/her e-mail address, click on the attachment below, titled Waukesha County Board Info. (May 2009).

Attachments (2)

  • Waukesha County Board Info. (May 2009).pdf - on May 18, 2009 1:00 PM by Betsy Foss-Campbell (version 1)
    564k View Download
  • Waukesha Freeman Article.pdf - on Dec 13, 2008 11:41 AM by Betsy Foss-Campbell (version 1)
    66k View Download