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Waseda workforce-housing initiative reports progress in Walworth County; local partners forming
Summary
County staff reported site-mapping, new local nonprofit partners and an executed MOU that will shift Waseda reporting to the committee; communities cited include Genoa City, Delavan, East Troy, Whitewater and Lake Geneva.
Pam gave the monthly Waseda workforce-housing update at the Walworth County Executive Committee meeting, reporting new site activity, nascent local nonprofit partners and a signed memorandum of understanding to advance the county’s housing strategy.
The update said ground-breaking in Genoa City will begin soon and two builders are preparing projects in Delavan; one builder’s project is expected later this summer. Pam said a local realtor has formed a 501(c)(3), Build Hope Foundation, has adopted bylaws, obtained IRS recognition and has a three-member board that will expand to seven. The foundation’s initial strategy is to acquire undervalued properties, rehabilitate them and sell them at lower price points to serve the county’s workforce housing needs. Pam said the group will pursue both resale and small infill new-build opportunities on vacant city lots.
The committee was told a second community-led group is forming to support fundraising and community education; that group is in early stages and plans another meeting in May. Pam said Whitewater is preparing a request for proposals to obtain a market analysis of city-owned property, vacant lots and tax‑reverted houses to put them back on the tax roll and make them available to builders. East Troy has a preliminary land‑use map from VanderWaal that identifies parcels and ownership to aid landowner outreach; Pam said one East Troy parcel is held by a family uncertain about next steps.
Committee members asked about the county’s municipal reach. Pam said Walworth town officials have been hesitant about new housing and staff will resume outreach now that they have more formal data. Pam told the committee she has been meeting individually with city administrators and school officials to show how workforce housing supports local schools and economic activity.
County staff also reported an MOU with Waseda (the county’s housing strategy partner) had completed internal signatures and carries an effective date of April 10. The MOU, once executed by Waseda, will allow Waseda to operate under the county-authorized housing strategy and will change the cadence of reporting to the committee; staff said Waseda may report quarterly rather than monthly going forward.
No formal committee action was required on the update; Pam fielded questions and the committee moved on to other agenda items.
