By Susan Wolfgram, Co-Chair of the JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force
Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution.
The Chippewa Valley is experiencing an affordable housing crisis. This crisis impacts nearly 40% of households in the area that earn $50,000 or less per year.
We want to hear from and listen to our local developers and others who provide this housing to understand what they need to build more affordably for this housing insecure demographic. An event titled “A Conversation with Developers: How to Build Affordable,” will occur on Thursday, May 14, 5-7pm in the Riverview Room, 306, of L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire. Event attendance is free; no registration required. Local government, housing leaders, and the general public are encouraged to attend.
This event is the first in a three-event series titled “Keys to Unlocking Affordable Housing” that explores approaches to addressing affordable housing. Additional series presentations are scheduled for this summer and fall.
The event highlights a discussion by local developers and others about their ideas for building homes more affordably, thereby increasing access to more people. Discussion will also include information about how to assist people in sustaining their housing. This session is focused on multi-family rentals, since low-income households most often can’t afford a single-family home in the current housing market.
Event panelists include:
- Cody Filipczak, co-owner of C&M Home Builders and Real Estate.
- Justin Held, owner of Rocket Construction and Property Minds.
- Tim Mather, executive director of West CAP.
- James Rolbiecki, property owner.
- Christina Thrun, executive officer of Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association.
In Eau Claire, 38% of households earn $50,000 or less annually, which represents 70% and below of the Eau Claire County household median income of $72,563, according to American Community Survey data.
Low-income households often spend 50% or more of their income on rent, placing them at risk of losing their homes. Paying for housing has become increasingly difficult for many as housing costs in the Eau Claire area have doubled during the past decade.
Accessing Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funding to increase affordability is challenging in Eau Claire and most communities. While state and federal funding sources for affordable housing are available, they are limited. With that in mind, panel members will discuss their affordable housing ideas from a “how can we” perspective instead of “why we can’t.”
“We may think we already know what developers want so they can build affordable housing,” said Susan Wolfgram, co-chair of the JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force. “However, have we ever really listened to what they say they need to increase access to affordable housing for our housing insecure neighbors? That is what we are doing at this event.”
In addition to the JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force, the event is sponsored by L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, and the Eau Claire Tenant-Landlord Resource Center.
Please join us!
