Vernon County hosts Regional Rural Housing Summit to address Driftless Region's housing crisis

The Vernon County Conservation and Education Committee meeting on February 13, 2025, highlighted significant developments in local housing initiatives aimed at addressing the ongoing housing crisis in the Driftless Region. A key announcement was the upcoming Regional Rural Housing Summit, scheduled for May 6 at the Hillsborough Brewing Company. This event will bring together multiple counties to discuss housing challenges and solutions, with insights drawn from a comprehensive countywide housing study currently underway.

The housing study aims to provide a detailed snapshot of the housing situation in Vernon County and the broader Driftless Region, offering valuable data that will inform discussions at the summit. This collaborative effort involves partnerships with officials from La Crosse and Bayfield Counties, emphasizing a regional approach to tackling housing issues.

In addition to the housing summit, the committee also discussed a new business workshop series set to begin on February 27 in Croon Valley. This series will cover the full life cycle of business development and is expected to run through mid-June, providing local entrepreneurs with essential resources and support.

The meeting also touched on significant housing developments in the area, including the Northpointe project, which will introduce 70 new apartments where the old calling shop was located. Furthermore, the Hansen Farm project, located across from Aldi's, is anticipated to bring around 200 apartments and various housing options, with multiple developers involved in the initiative.

These discussions reflect a proactive approach by the committee to address housing needs and support economic growth in Vernon County. As these projects move forward, they are expected to have a lasting impact on the community, providing much-needed housing solutions and fostering local entrepreneurship.