Green Bay Reporter

Rep. Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) took to Twitter to announce legislation that would take aim at the current housing shortage in the state.  

Steineke said that he had joined his fellow GOP colleagues in efforts that would help alleviate the problem.  

“Today, my Republican colleagues and I unveiled concrete steps toward addressing Wisconsin’s growing housing shortage," Steineke wrote. “The proposals put forth will help support meaningful change both in northeast Wisconsin where I represent and across our state."

Steineke added that the problem has been brought up when he has discussed potential economic growth with business leaders.

“As I talk with neighbors and local business leaders in our community, it has been painfully clear that a lack of available housing units has made our state an unattractive destination for both workers and businesses alike,” he said.

The lack of affordable homes has hit growing areas in the state particularly hard, with the shortage being blamed on rising rent and construction costs, and an inability to keep up with demand.

If passed, the proposed measure would make construction materials cheaper and make the development-approval process simpler to facilitate resident’s' ability to build and renovate homes.

According to Spectrum, the cost of homes at the low end of the market increased more than the cost of homes at the high end of the market with the Urban Institute reporting that low-end home prices increased by 126%, while high-end home prices increased by 86%.