UW Extension staff announce regional housing summit May 6 and report local development activity

Hannah, a Vernon County UW Extension staff member, told the committee that a regional housing summit for seven-area counties is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, in Hillsboro and that registration and a temporary agenda are open.

Hannah said the summit will include an optional tour of three housing units at the end of the day and that the county housing study is nearing completion with final recommendations expected in May. She said registrations are arriving from across Wisconsin and that the event draws interest from counties beyond the immediate region.

Committee members and staff also discussed several local development projects. Extension staff described a mixed-use project with about 60 units (reported as approximately 60'62 units) that includes ground-level space planned for a childcare facility and two retail storefronts; the project is expected to be market-rate rather than low-income affordable housing. Other developers are planning townhouses and apartment buildings; staff said some projects are roughly two years from completion.

Hannah and other Extension staff said the county's housing planning work includes outreach events such as an open house on the housing study and that the extension team is coordinating regional partners and developers.

Outlook: The housing summit will proceed on May 6; Extension staff will present final housing-study recommendations to the committee and county board when the study is complete.