Lack of access to safe, affordable housing is a problem throughout the country, including Wisconsin. The cost of housing during the past decade has consistently outpaced both inflation and wages. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, in order to afford a moderately priced ($763/month) two-bedroom apartment in Wisconsin, a person would need a full-time job paying $14.67 an hour — twice the minimum wage of $7.25. (Affordable housing is defined as costing no more than 30% of household income.)
Local assistance programs can’t meet the growing need for housing. As a result, many people have to make hard decisions in choosing between basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, and health care. The Wisconsin Council of Churches, along with faith communities and housing agencies statewide, supports efforts to make affordable housing more widely available in Wisconsin.
In response to this problem, many congregations provide volunteers or funding to:
- Help enterprises such as Habitat for Humanity build individual homes;
- Offer emergency shelter for the homeless in their building or support local homeless shelters; or
- Assist individuals and families meet their basic short term or long term housing needs.
Congregations and denominations also advocate for state or federal action, e.g: better funding for anti-poverty programs or social services, more adequate homeless shelter support and programming, and other housing-related initiatives. The WCC also advocates for affordable housing legislation; visit our Legislative Alert Center and click on “issues” to check for current legislative priorities.
Home for Everyone Conference
The Wisconsin Council of Churches is a member of the Wisconsin Collaborative for Affordable Housing, along with government agencies, community based organizations, private concerns and housing advocates – all committed to promoting the development and preservation of affordable housing throughout Wisconsin. Every summer, the Collaborative presents A Home for Everyone conference as a way of focusing on these issues for low-income families and individuals.
The 2012 Home for Everyone Conference, “Rebuilding the Dream,” will be held July 18-19 at the Hyatt Regency/Kl Convention Centetr in Green Bay, WI. Further information can be found here.
A Housing Trust Fund for Wisconsin
One way to increase the availability of safe, affordable housing in Wisconsin would be to create a state housing trust fund. A housing trust fund is a distinct fund established by legislation, ordinance, or resolution to receive dedicated, ongoing public funding that can only be spent on housing. Many communities in Wisconsin already have housing trust funds. A state housing trust fund would increase the availability of affordable housing while maintaining flexibility to meet particular local needs.
The WCC Stewardship of Public Life Committee has endorsed a set of principles for a state housing trust.
Other organizations endorsing these principles are: Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP); Fox Cities Housing Coalition; Common Wealth Development, Inc.; and the Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development.
Further ideas for the possible design of such a trust fund are contained in Suggested Key Components of a Wisconsin Housing Trust Fund.
For more information on housing trust funds visit the Housing Trust Fund Project at the Center for Community Change or contact Peter Bakken, WCC Coordinator for Public Policy or Bob Jones, Director, Wisconsin Community Action Program Association.
Affordable Housing Resources
Affordable Housing Agencies and Organizations
View our “Affordable Housing & Homelessness Resources” for a list of state and national agencies and organizations that can help churches address affordable housing and homelessness in their community.
Opening Doors to Affordable Housing Study-Action Guide
Download and view or print a PDF file of ”Opening Doors to Affordable Housing – Study Action Guide for Wisconsin Congregations” (40 pages). The inside and outer cover pages (4) can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here. To order a copy of the study action guide by mail send $3 to WCC or request a copy and billing by email. The “handout pages” of the above document can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here. You may view all 24 pages and/or select one or more pages for printing.
Housing Data
To view extensive data on affordable housing in Wisconsin and other areas, check out the current edition of “Out of Reach,” the report produced by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC). National data and weekly newsletters are also available from NLIHC. To obtain a video presentation in VHS or DVD format describing what faith communities have done to help assure affordable housing in Wisconsin see the WCC “Resources” section for ordering information.
A Sermon on Homelessness
“Habitation Agitation,” a sample sermon on how to raise the issue of homelessness and the need for affordable housing in your congregation. Let us know other ways you have found to educate your congregation and wider community about these issues by sending an email to Peter Bakken, Coordinator for Public Policy at WCC.
View our “Affordable Housing & Homelessness Resources” for a list of state and national agencies and organizations that can help churches address affordable housing and homelessness in their community.
Contact Information
For additional information contact Peter Bakken at (608) 837-3108 or by email.
