Affordable Housing is a crisis in downtown Madison, WI. The lack of affordable housing downtown is one of the greatest threats currently facing our community's future and affects the health and wellbeing of residents. College students, young professionals, food service workers, and our downtown workforce should not have to struggle to make a living while supporting the vitality and making up the unique character of downtown Madison.

The Campus Area Neighborhood Association is looking for your support of the resolution. When looking at the data we see the need for a resolution on affordable housing. Current data demonstrates a crisis for our low-income neighbors. In Madison at minimum wage, it takes 110 hours of work per week to afford a one-bedroom apartment and 94 hours for a studio. At the average wage of $17.24/hour, it takes 46 hours to afford a one-bedroom. Service industry averages are around $10.30/hour (Data from National Low Income Housing Coalition). 

To provide clear direction to new developers in the downtown area, this resolution provides a definition for the minimum amount of units and rent of affordable housing for new developments. Specifically, the resolution defines for "residential units in a proposed development will be considered ‘affordable’ by Downtown Neighborhoods Coalition members if a tenant’s monthly rent would constitute 30% of the monthly income of an individual making 30% of the area median income of Dane County." Also, the resolution calls " all residential property developers considering new proposals in our neighborhoods to examine the viability of affordable units in all new proposals, regardless of size or location, and requests that at least 15% of available units be qualified as affordable." The signing of this resolution by a neighborhood association is a commitment to the various neighboring downtown neighborhood associations to be a strong advocate for affordable housing in downtown Madison. 

Signing this petition is doing your part to stand with our essential low-income workers that make downtown Madison the place it is. Let's take a stand against luxury developers taking advantage of our community. Support the development of affordable housing in our community. Ultimately, your support of this petition will empower the Campus Area Neighborhood Association to become an official signer and supporter of the proposed resolution. Let’s make a stand together! Stay tuned for updates as we fight for affordable housing in downtown Madison!

Link to resolution: Downtown Neighborhood Coalition Resolution