Element: Housing

What is this element and how is forestry connected to it?

Housing is a much larger issue than just the physical integrity and availability of housing. The development and location of housing has lasting effects on land use and natural resources within communities. As urbanization and development continue to increase in Wisconsin it will be critical to assess the long term economic, social and ecological impacts that development can have on the forests in your community.

Recognizing the essential functions and benefits that forests provide, communities should be explicit in their desire to preserve tracts of forestland if they want their housing policies and programs compatible with the long-term health of their forests. Planning for this is important because housing located next to natural resource amenities such as forests is considered highly desirable. The preservation of forested areas can add to the attractiveness of an area's housing market, including urban areas where the location and quantity of trees and open spaces can increase the visual appeal of neighborhoods and add to property values, as well as serve critical ecosystem management functions such as stormwater management.

Use the tools below to develop goals, objectives, and policies that address this element.

• Model Implementation Language
• Sample Goals, Objectives, and Policies

Related Issues

Fire in the Wildland Urban Interface
Forest Health
Forest Ownership and Parcelization
Healthy Urban Forests

Statutory Language

Wis. Stats. s. 66.1001(2)(b) Housing Element
A compilation of objectives, policies, goals, maps and programs of the local governmental unit to provide an adequate housing supply that meets existing and forecasted housing demand in the local governmental unit. The element shall assess the age, structural value and occupancy characteristics of the local governmental unit's housing stock. The element shall also identify specific policies and programs that promote the development of housing for residents of the local governmental unit and provide a range of housing choices that meet the needs of persons of all income levels and of all age groups and persons with special needs, policies and programs that promote the availability of land for the development or redevelopment of low-income and moderate-income housing, and policies and programs to maintain or rehabilitate the local governmental unit's existing housing stock.