The Revitalist

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports on one Milwaukee suburb that has made workforce housing a priority and is very successful (via Planetizen). The city of Hartford, WI has 13,000 people, 8,000+ jobs, and zero unemployment. The City Administrator says, "We're a small, self-contained, inclusionary community ... that provides cradle-to-grave housing, all in everyone's price range. In Hartford, you can still find a new home/lot package under $200,000... We have condos and apartments, and when it comes time that you don't work anymore, we have senior housing. We also have a hospital, a hospice, and when that's done, two cemeteries." That kind of practical, no-nonsense thinking has resulted in a system that encourages a wide range of housing choices without significant city regulation. The city does not have extensive architectural standards or complex zoning regulations. They have decided on a few clear rules and are willing to let the marketplace work it out. Primarily, the City requires that all new developments offer a range of home sizes and prices. Developers are happy with the efficient approvals process and the predictability of their costs. Home buyers are happy with the sense of community and the affordable prices. Business owners are happy with the stability of their workforce and consistency of the city's support.

Sounds like every mid-size city with an eye towards responsible growth should be asking, "How do you do it and how can we?"