Tony Evers: Expand economic development to include affordable worker housing

Economic development in Wisconsin should mean more than just counting jobs — it could also include helping companies create affordable housing for employees, Gov. Tony Evers told a business group in Madison on Tuesday.

Evers said decisions on how to use state economic development funds should be “more nimble.”

“It can be around: Do you need affordable housing? We should use economic development more in a more holistic way,” Evers said....

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Ken Notes: A good idea but two entirely different markets and entities. To get housing you need to work with builders, developers and communities. To get jobs you need to work with employers. We have ways to do both but it is a different set of tools and expertise.

The housing problem will also require examining the profit margins on small affordable and larger homes. Ask any builder why they do not build smaller homes and they will say only one thing -- profit. We could look at micro, modular, small stick built and manufactured homes on smaller lots but communities are not supportive. We need innovative design, shared amenities, and community planning...