Local
Dane County Awards $279,750 to Four Municipalities for Housing Reforms
Dane County has distributed $279,750 in first-round grants to Sun Prairie, Deerfield, Monona, and Waunakee to help remove zoning and permitting barriers to housing development, with a second round of about $720,000 now open for applications.
Dane County has awarded a combined $279,750 to four municipalities to help them remove regulatory barriers to housing development, the Dane County Department of Human Services announced Friday.
The first-round grants, funded by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant, will support changes to zoning and building codes, permitting and approval processes, and other policies that affect housing supply and affordability.
Sun Prairie received the largest award, $150,000, for housing updates and land-use planning in the city's comprehensive plan. The work will assess housing needs and identify policies to support future development.
Deerfield received $60,000 for zoning code updates intended to reduce barriers to development and expand homeownership opportunities. Monona received $51,000 for zoning and land division code changes aimed at removing barriers to affordable housing development. Waunakee received $18,750 for zoning-related work addressing barriers to housing.
"As the fastest-growing county in Wisconsin, we need to make sure our housing supply keeps pace with the needs of our communities," Dane County Executive Melissa Agard said. "That means working with our municipal partners to remove outdated barriers that make it harder and more expensive to build housing."
Dane County Department of Human Services Director John Schlueter said the funding allows the county to work with community partners to "dismantle barriers, and make housing more accessible and affordable for residents' long term."
The county is now accepting applications for a second round of funding totaling about $720,000. Requests may range from $15,000 to $150,000, and applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday through the county's procurement portal.
"These investments will help communities expand housing options and make it easier for more people to find a home they can afford right here in Dane County," Agard said.
The awards come as Dane County continues to grapple with a housing shortage driven by rapid population growth. Local governments have increasingly focused on zoning reform as a way to increase supply without direct public subsidies for construction. Madison amended its zoning ordinances in July 2025 to allow duplexes, two-flats, and "twin homes" on most residential lots citywide, a change aimed at adding housing capacity in established neighborhoods.