Workforce housing is helping to solve an affordable housing crisis in Door County, Sept. 4, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Affordable housing is a nationwide issue, and Door County is no exception.
That’s where the Door County Housing Partnership comes in.
“I’ve been in real estate up here for 40 years, so I’ve benefitted from this housing boom we’ve had, but unfortunately, that’s caused the crisis. My wife and I talked about it and I needed to give back, I felt,” said Scott Bader, president of the Door County Housing Partnership.
The partnership is trying to make that difference by building affordable housing for working families.
“This is workforce housing for Door County’s workforce. We also have some homes down in Sturgeon Bay. It remains workforce housing forever, because we own the land. So, it’s a 99-year lease, so that way we keep this workforce housing,” said Bader.
Who owns the house itself?
“They own the house; they have a lease to the land. They pay a small lease payment every month. Part of that goes back into a fund, that if something major would ever happen to the house, somewhere down the line, we can help cover that,” said Bader.
“This is incredibly special to be involved in this program. Not only do we have a place to live, but it’s growing the community in a way that it needs,” said Tony Odea, the owner of the newest home that has been completed.
“It’s the nurse who helps you at the hospital, it’s your server at the restaurant, it’s the guy in the hardware store, the guy who helps pick up your garbage or takes care of your kid. We need those people up here. If they’re not here, we’re not going to have services,” said Bader.
Bader says these projects are fueled by donations from many different people.
“We always like to give back, look for opportunities that can help in the communities that we live in, because if they thrive, we all thrive,” said Mary Beth James, a donor.
“They get to buy their first home and that’s such an exciting feeling, that we’re actually helping them and that’s really amazing,” said Bader.
They’re providing families with the opportunity to fulfill part of the American dream.
Comments