Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce President Dave Eckmann (L) hosts US Senator Tammy Baldwin (R) for a roundtable discussion in Wausau. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — US Senator Tammy Baldwin was in Wausau on Monday to hear about the region’s housing crunch.
The discussion focused on several ways the housing shortage has impacted people, including businesses and individuals. She says she was glad to hear some companies are getting creative to solve the problem.
“They are looking at how their business can help meet this need,” said Baldwin. “Whether that’s the modular home industry, where they can create efficiencies of scale, or [developers] that have been focusing their construction efforts on affordable and workforce housing.”
Baldwin also stumped for the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, a bipartisan measure that would limit the number of single-family homes that a single corporation or investment firm can own. “It’s a problem. So what we’ve put into this measure is [a limit] of 350 properties. You can own 350 properties, but not 351. Once you hit that magic number, you can’t continue to acquire properties and take them [off the market to potential owners].”
Baldwin adds that the bill provides ways for companies to divest their properties to potential owners, such as through rent-to-own programs. The bill passed the Senate 89-10 with one abstention.
The event was hosted by the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce, with President and CEO Dave Eckmann opening. Representatives from Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Club, Central Wisconsin Board of Realtors, and Wisconsin Housing Alliance all participated.
Republican Senator Ron Johnson was one of the ten ‘no’ votes on the measure. It’s unclear when the House will take it up.
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