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Residents urge Waunakee board to tackle affordable housing and food pantry support
Summary
Public commenters at the Nov. 28 Waunakee Village Board meeting urged zoning-code reform to expand affordable housing and asked the village to consider waiving rent for the local food pantry and WNC; staff said the pantry will present in spring and requested more data before emergency funding.
Several residents used the Nov. 28 public comment period to press the Village Board on local housing and food assistance.
Robert McPherson (1703 Alexandria Court) said the village’s outdated housing code is the "root cause" of supply constraints that push rents higher and urged the board to place zoning-code reform and affordable housing on a future agenda. He praised recent attention to land trusts but said the board must take substantive agenda action so the public can see it is addressing the problem.
Cora McPherson, introduced by staff, said builders make houses too big and should build smaller, more affordable homes so people experiencing homelessness could access housing.
Linda Ashmore (114 South Street) asked the board to schedule an agenda item on waiving rent for the food pantry and WNC, described local increases in demand and cited recent federal changes to food assistance programs she said would reduce funding and increase burdens on local food providers. Staff member Kristen said she contacted Kathy Gundrum at the food pantry, which said it would prefer to present in spring so it can provide longer-term, accurate data; the pantry told staff it is not yet at the point of pleading for emergency village funds but will remain in contact if conditions worsen.
The board did not take immediate action on these requests but staff told the board the CDA will provide a housing update in January that may inform future agenda items. Residents were urged to work through the CDA and contact the village president to request agenda placement.
Sources: Public comment statements and staff responses recorded in the Nov. 28 meeting.
What happens next: CDA housing update expected in January; food pantry has been invited to present in spring with data on need and usage.
