Housing (Affordable Housing)

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 178: Relating to: changes to the low-income housing tax credit. (FE)

SB 178 relates to changes to the low-income housing tax credit program. The provided amendments clarify the timing and application of the qualified allocation plan, which guides how these credits are allocated by the relevant authority.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies allocation of low-income housing tax credits, directly funding affordable housing development per program purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 194: Relating to: modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE)

AB 194 modifies Wisconsin's housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. It redefines "developer" to include tribal housing authorities (Section 3) and clarifies "residential housing" to include tax-exempt reservation or trust lands (Section 4). The bill reduces maximum loan limits for housing projects from 33% to 20% of development costs (Section 10) and from 25% to 10% (Section 11). It also requires local governments to submit cost-reduction analyses showing how zoning or fee changes lowered housing costs (Section 7), directly affecting developers, tribal entities, and local governments administering housing programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces maximum loan limits for housing projects (33%→20%, 25%→10%), directly restricting government funding allocation under housing programs.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingReduces maximum loan limits for housing projects (33%→20%, 25%→10%), directly cutting funding capacity for affordable housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 476: Relating to: a workforce home loan program. (FE)

SB 476 modifies a state workforce home loan program to set maximum home purchase prices by county, based on annual data from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. It prohibits fees on these loans and requires qualified organizations (like approved lenders) to verify applicant eligibility using state-provided forms. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate income homebuyers seeking affordable mortgages through this program. Key changes include adding county-specific price limits to underwriting guidelines and requiring the state authority to distribute loan funds electronically. The bill is pending final passage after committee approval.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingModifies workforce home loan program with county price limits and fee prohibition to directly support low-to-moderate income homebuyers' access to affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Mortgages

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 182: Relating to: changes to the low-income housing tax credit. (FE)

AB 182 amends state tax statutes to clarify how low-income housing tax credits are allocated to owners in multi-entity business structures. It specifies that partnerships, limited liability companies, and tax-option corporations cannot claim the credit directly; instead, partners, members, or shareholders must claim it based on their ownership share or a written agreement. A new provision (76.639(3)(b)) explicitly allows insurers who are partners/members/shareholders to claim credits based on their stake in qualifying housing projects. The bill requires entities to calculate and provide credit allocations to owners, with written agreements needed for non-proportional allocations, and holds individual claimants responsible for tax disputes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies allocation of low-income housing tax credits to ensure proper use, supporting affordable housing development through tax credit program integrity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AJR 33: Relating to: declaration of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights.

Assembly Joint Resolution 33 (AJR 33) declares an "Economic Justice Bill of Rights" for the people of Wisconsin. This resolution aims to renew the state's progressive tradition and address historical disparities for various communities. It outlines ten specific rights, including the right to a job paying a living wage, adequately funded public education, affordable healthcare, a clean environment, and safe, affordable housing. The resolution also includes rights to a union, equitable access to capital, and a fair justice system, regardless of a person's background or status.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly declares 'adequately funded public education' as a core right, directly advancing school funding support.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExplicitly includes 'clean environment' as a core right in the Economic Justice Bill of Rights, directly advancing environmental protection as a fundamental entitlement.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly declares 'affordable healthcare' as a right, directly advancing access and cost reduction goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDeclares 'safe, affordable housing' as a specific right, directly aligning with tenant protections and affordable housing initiatives per the resolution's stated goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExplicitly declares right to living wage and union rights, directly advancing labor protections and workers' economic security per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Collective Bargaining Minimum Wage

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 454: Relating to: a workforce home loan program. (FE)

AB 454 establishes a statewide "workforce home loan" revolving loan program to help low-to-moderate income workers purchase homes. It creates a new fund that will provide loans to first-time homebuyers whose household income is at or below 100% of the local area median income, with requirements including no prior residential property ownership in the past three years and meeting specific debt-to-income and credit score standards (minimum 580 FICO score for deferred payment options). The program uses repayments from existing loans to replenish the fund, allowing it to serve more borrowers over time. This directly affects eligible workforce households in housing markets across the state who qualify under the defined income and underwriting criteria.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes statewide loan program for low-income first-time homebuyers, directly funding affordable housing access through income-based home purchase assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Mortgages

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 52: Relating to: expanding the homestead income tax credit. (FE)

AB 52 expands the homestead income tax credit for homeowners with low to moderate income. It establishes new income-based limits: households earning $8,060 or less get credit covering 80% of property taxes, while higher earners get credit on taxes exceeding 5.614% of income over $8,060. The credit is unavailable if household income exceeds $35,000. The law also adds automatic inflation adjustments to these thresholds starting in 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit for low-income homeowners, reducing property tax burden - direct tax relief for target group per bill's income-based thresholds.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax credit for low-income homeowners, reducing property tax burden to improve housing affordability for targeted households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 451: Relating to: residential tax incremental districts. (FE)

AB 451 creates new rules for "residential tax incremental districts" (RTIDs) in cities, limiting these districts to 3% of a city's total taxable property value (down from a 12% cap for other districts). It requires RTIDs to fund only infrastructure for residential developments meeting strict size limits: single-family homes under 7,500 sq ft lots, two-family homes under 15,000 sq ft lots, and strict setbacks/sizes for homes (e.g., max 1,500 sq ft for single-story). Project costs are restricted to district-wide infrastructure (like stormwater systems), not individual lots, and must be paid from tax increments or developer financing. The bill directly affects cities creating RTIDs and developers building qualifying residential projects.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces RTID cap from 12% to 3% and restricts eligible projects, limiting tax tool expansion for residential development funding.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill imposes strict size limits (max 1,500 sq ft) and caps RTIDs at 3% of taxable value, restricting housing development options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 180: Relating to: modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE)

SB 180 modifies Wisconsin's housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). It allows WHEDA to offer loans with interest rates at or below market rate minus 1% (or no interest) and requires newly constructed workforce or senior housing to remain affordable for 10 years after initial occupancy. For owner-occupied homes, it restricts resale prices to the original purchase price plus annual inflation (capped at 5% per year), with these rules recorded on property deeds and published online by WHEDA. The bill directly affects developers receiving WHEDA loans and future homeowners purchasing qualifying affordable housing units, applying to new loans starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables below-market loans, mandates 10-year affordability for new housing, and caps resale prices for owner-occupied homes - directly advancing affordable housing access and stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Property Development

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