Sept. 18, 2026 9:30a
(WGTD)---Recommendations that are designed to ensure that a housing shortage doesn’t hinder economic growth in Kenosha County were laid out by a consultant this week.
Erik Doersching of Illinois-based Tracy Cross & Associates found that while multi-family rental housing continues to be tight new developments are in the works that should ease that shortage over time.
With the cost of new construction far outpacing income growth in recent years, it's a different story for new, owner-occupied single family homes. "Something needs to be done about it," Doersching said at a Kenosha Area Business Alliance-sponsored presentation at the Strawberry Creek country club.
The good news is something can be done, but builders and municipalities need to work together to develop new ways of thinking.
For instance, municipalities may need to allow owners to build homes without basements, to warm up to the idea of approving smaller lot sizes and to consider developing incentive programs patterned after what’s already in place in other areas.
Builders may need to worry first about costs rather than designs and square footage. And they need to realize that the greatest demand for single-family homes is in the lower end of the price range.
As for renters who are yearning to buy their own new home, they can forget about it unless they’re prepared to spend at least $325,000.
The study was paid for by Kenosha County and conducted under the auspices of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance and the county’s Housing Task Force. One hope is that the marketing data in the 50 page-long report will encourage home construction in a way that best meets the needs of the county.
The study did not dwell on low-income or senior housing.
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