DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – A recent study shows that Door County needs more apartment units available and fast.
The study was ordered last year by the Door County Economic Development Corporation.
Executive director Jim Schuessler explains their concerns.
“People considering relocation to Door County over the past few years have experienced the challenge of finding housing, especially rental stock,” he says.
Results from the report show that seasonal employees and retirees in the north and central parts of Door County need more rental options.
“We didn’t know if we had dozens or we need hundreds,” says Schuessler. “And this shows that it’s in the hundreds.”
Overall, the report found that Door County needs an additional 376 apartment units to keep up with the demand.
“This analysis reveals just how far behind we are to meet the present demand,” explains Schuessler. “We need to grab a gear and get needed housing online.”
The report breaks down the county by regions and shows that central Door County, which would include Sturgeon Bay, has 164 market-rate apartments either completed or under construction. In order to meet future needs, they would need an additional 200 apartments.
Northern Door County, which would include Sister Bay, has only 40 apartments available and they would need an additional 165 units to meet future demands.
Denise Stillman manages an area hotel and she admits that it’s difficult to find housing for their staff.
“It’s not only hard for hourly seasonal work which has always been difficult and now it’s hard to bring in a manager,” she explains. “For someone who has a wife and kids and wants to find a house, finding something north of Sturgeon Bay is very difficult.”
If the area is to continue to grow she believes that more housing options have to be available, even though it’s not totally barren right now.
“I don’t want to discourage people from coming to Door County and getting the great jobs because they’re here,” explains Stillman. “People have homes and great spots, you just have to work at it.”
County officials could meet as early as Tuesday to go over the findings of this report and hopefully discuss some type of solution going forward.
