08/14/2026
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA), the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA), and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities (the League) jointly released a series of fact sheets this past week, summarizing five new state laws aimed at addressing Wisconsin's housing affordability crisis. The fact sheets provide a plain-language overview of each law and practical guidance on how municipalities, builders, and real estate professionals can begin implementing the changes.
The laws — 2025 Wisconsin Acts 68, 120, 173, 235, and 237—touch on platting procedures, local infrastructure financing, comprehensive planning, workforce housing tax incremental districts, and updates to WHEDA loan programs. Together, they represent one of the most significant packages of housing-related legislation to pass in Wisconsin in recent years.
“Wisconsin's housing shortage didn't happen overnight, and solving it takes sustained, practical policy change — not just new laws on the books, but a clear understanding of how to put them to work,” said WBA Executive Director, Brad Boycks. “These fact sheets translate new statutes into plain language so builders, municipalities, and Realtors are all working from the same playbook.”
“The passage of last session’s historic housing package was a vital step toward solving our supply shortage. However, the new tools created in the housing package will be effective only if implemented properly. To help our members, local leaders, and the public navigate these changes, we are proud to partner on these informational papers breaking down exactly how this legislation cuts red tape, unlocks new development, and creates real housing opportunities across our communities,” said WRA President & CEO, Tom Larson.
“Housing is a complex challenge, with different needs in different communities,” said Emily McFarland, Executive Director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. “These five legislative enactments provide additional tools for the public and private sector to apply as they work together to provide housing for Wisconsin citizens.”
Each fact sheet includes a summary of the law's key provisions, its effective date, and answers to frequently asked questions from the perspective of the municipalities, builders, and real estate professionals who will be implementing it day to day. The full set of fact sheets is available in the link below.
Wisconsin currently averages roughly 11,700 housing starts per year, and 77.3% of Wisconsin households cannot afford the median-priced new home in the state. The three organizations noted that while this legislation marks meaningful progress, additional work remains to address the underlying causes of the affordability crisis.
*About the Wisconsin Builders Association
The Wisconsin Builders Association is a professional trade association comprised of 20 local associations dedicated to helping members build communities around the state. We advocate the interests of 4,000 home building industry members to keep housing affordable and accessible for Wisconsin families, Protecting the American Dream for over 75 years.
*About the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA) is one of the largest trade associations in the state, headquartered in Madison, Wis. The WRA represents and provides services to more than 17,500 members statewide, made up of practicing real estate sales agents, brokers, appraisers, inspectors, bankers, and other professionals who touch real estate. Additionally, the WRA works to protect the interests and rights of over two million homeowners in Wisconsin with legislation geared toward protecting private property rights, economic growth, and keeping housing affordable.
*About the League of Wisconsin Municipalities
The League of Wisconsin Municipalities is a nonpartisan, nonprofit membership organization that advocates for the interests of our over 600 member cities and villages, large and small, urban and rural, throughout the state.
Joint resource is intended to help local officials, builders, and Realtors understand and implement Wisconsin's newest housing legislation
