Madison is growing, but our housing choices have not kept pace.
We’ve spent the past year connecting with residents, housing advocates, community organizations, decision makers, faith leaders, and more. We’ve seen a welcoming and inclusive population willing to stand up and say “Yes In My Backyard!” We’ve seen a local government willing to make pro-housing policy changes. And we’ve learned about more potential steps that our community can take to advocate for the kind of housing development that will make a dent in housing prices and set the stage for Madison to thrive as a city into the future.
“Too many people are struggling to find a home they can afford near their jobs, families, schools, and sometimes in the community they grew up in.”
Jen Walker, Madison for More Neighbors
Here is the Policy Platform We Stand For.
So, what comes next? Madison For More Neighbors is proud to advocate for 6 specific local policy changes that will expand the supply of missing-middle housing in Madison, so that people of different ages, incomes, backgrounds, and abilities can find a home and thrive here.
Policy Priorities
1
Make Room For Downtown’s Future in the new Downtown Area Plan
The Downtown Area Plan is our opportunity to plan for the Madison we are becoming, not just the Downtown we have today. Downtown also has the city’s best access to transit. In areas designated for growth, we can capitalize on those investments with a plan that allows more homes, more people, and more businesses. To do so, we must avoid unnecessary building height limits or transitions that constrain long-term development. The state already sets height limits that protect the view of our iconic Capitol. Let those limits do their job, while the city uses its existing zoning and design tools to manage compatibility with neighboring properties and areas.
The next Downtown Area Plan will shape development for decades. If we want a thriving Downtown, we need to plan for one. Now is the time to let officials know that we should plan for growth and let the Capitol set the ceiling downtown.
2
Remove costly mandates for off-street parking citywide
One-size-fits-all parking mandates add costs, take up limited space, and prevent the new homes that people need, especially for affordable housing providers and small-scale builders working on tight lots or rehabbing buildings. If the parking won’t fit or costs too much, the homes don’t get built. Besides that, mandating more parking than Madison really needs means more asphalt, more strip-mall developments and chain stores, and fewer locally owned mom-and-pop businesses in close-knit, close-in neighborhoods. When it comes to parking rules, flexibility makes more sense than mindless overbuilding.
3
Strengthen and expand transit-oriented development
Madison should build on its recent transit-oriented development policies and consider a more ambitious approach, allowing people to live near frequent transit, jobs, schools, grocery stores, and other daily needs. With transportation representing a large share of the cost of living, more options to live car-lite or car-free are essential for all, and especially those who can’t drive.
As a starting point for our campaign, the redesign of South Stoughton Road offers a concrete opportunity to expand transit-oriented development and build new and diverse housing types within existing city limits. The city’s Southeast area plan states that Madison will expand the TOD overlay zone to create more opportunities for development should the Wisconsin Department of Transportation move forward with the wide boulevard redesign option. Our campaign aligns with the Better Streets Madison coalition’s position to advocate for (and improve upon) WisDOT’s wide boulevard option.
4
Expand Community Land Trusts
Adding homes is essential, but rapidly rising costs show that Madison must also create and preserve housing that remains affordable over time. Community land trusts can support permanently affordable rental and homeownership opportunities while helping residents build stability, connection to their communities, and modest amounts of equity.
We are advocating for the public land, funding, financing, partnerships, and technical assistance needed to expand community land trust housing in Madison.
5
Encourage housing on faith-based and nonprofit-owned land
Many faith-based and nonprofit organizations own underutilized land that could be transformed into much-needed housing. For these mission-driven organizations, supporting access to housing often aligns with their core values and commitment to meeting basic human needs. Partnerships among faith communities, nonprofits, housing advocates, residents, and policymakers can help advance zoning reforms and streamline development processes, making it easier to create affordable housing on these sites.
6
Reduce or remove minimum lot-size and lot-width requirements
Creating smaller minimum lot-size and lot-width rules can allow homeowners and small-scale builders to tuck more modest cottages and duplexes into established neighborhoods. These changes increase opportunities for both downsizing and first-time homeownership, help to grow the local tax-base, and more efficiently use limited city resources. Cities that enact lot size reform are moving the needle and greatly increasing the supply of unsubsidized affordable housing. Madison should follow suit and update lot-size and lot-width rules to allow this kind of flexibility and efficiency into our housing policy toolbox.
A Platform That Can Grow
These priorities are a starting point. Additional policies may emerge as the campaign listens to residents, builds a coalition, assesses Madison’s cultural, socioeconomic, environmental, and political landscape, and identifies new opportunities for action.
Madison for More Neighbors will build diverse coalitions, share residents’ stories, educate the public, engage decision-makers, and advocate for policy change. Our guiding principle will remain the same: Madison should be a city where more people can find a home, put down roots, and belong.
Join Us
Creating a more welcoming and affordable Madison will take all of us. Join Madison for More Neighbors in supporting more homes, more choices, and more opportunities for people to live in the communities they love.
