LAC DU FLAMBEAU (WJFW) — On Tuesday at Lake of the Torches convention center, community leaders and partners met today for a series of presentations regarding the current housing crisis in the northwoods, as well as discussing possible solutions.
Residents were also allowed to attend the regional housing summit, as it touched on issues that directly affect them and their businesses. Over the last 20 years, Wisconsin’s northwoods have had a challenge in keeping enough housing available to the ever growing population, and with real estate prices on the rise every year, it’s becoming more and more of a challenge for families to move to the area.
“We’re taking the opportunity to bring great data sets.” Said Brittany Beyer, community economic specialist for UW Madison Extension. “Great information about programs that are available statewide but also some of the really interesting innovative ways that other communities are addressing their housing units.”
The speakers, which included community leaders, support program representatives, and residents, brought forth key data about local housing needs and what can be done to address them.
“This group of leadership in Economic development and local government and just community leaders, they have been working on these issues for quite a while. But again this is a time to bring the region together and talk about housing.” Continued Beyer.
Wisconsin has seen a large population boom in recent years, and areas such as the northwoods have struggled to keep up with the influx of people. More housing in the area not only will aid families, but local businesses as well as there is also a large employment need to the many restaurants and stores. The summit was brought by UW extension and they along with the people of the northwoods, hope that this meeting can further efforts to expand housing for the future of the communities.