With a housing vacancy rate of under two percent, Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward is just as happy as residents that an affordable housing project is about to get off the ground. Last week, the Sturgeon Bay Common Council approved the use of $250,000 from the TID #1 Affordable Housing Extension to support the construction of a 60-unit affordable housing development near the intersection of State Highway 42/57 and Columbia Avenue. The project is also contingent on the developer, Gorman & Company, receiving funding through the 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. According to District 4 alderperson Spencer Gustafson, a one-bedroom apartment could cost as little as $484 a month, depending on where a resident’s income falls on the Area Median Income (AMI) index.
Ward says the developer has worked in the area before when the city hosted informational meetings about the community’s housing needs. With the city still facing a housing deficit for its workforce, Ward adds that the project will be a welcome addition to the area.
Ward is pleased that the city continues to make progress on increasing its housing stock, noting that it has been a goal of his since he first ran for mayor in 2019. Time will tell if the project provides a blueprint for adding more affordable housing in the future. Ward also says the expiration of another TID next year could open the door for additional projects.
