Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Summit
May 7, 2026 | Zoofari Conference Center, Milwaukee, WI
Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Summit
The House Blend: Mixing Policy, Partnerships, and Possibilities
Join community leaders, housing professionals, local officials, and regional partners for a full‑day gathering focused on understanding and addressing the region’s most pressing housing challenges.
About
Held at Zoofari Conference Center in Milwaukee, this year’s summit will explore trends and data shaping the housing landscape across Southeast Wisconsin including:
Affordability & Availability
Zoning and Development Barriers
Regional Workforce Needs
Community-Driven Solutions
Location & Cost
Location
Zoofari Conference Center, Milwaukee County Zoo
715 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226
No cost onsite parking available.
Cost
Regular Registration: (April 10 – May 1): $85 per person
All tickets include lunch and refreshments.
Summit Highlights
Whether you work in planning, economic development, real estate, nonprofit services, philanthropy, or local government, this event provides a unique opportunity to learn, share perspectives, and contribute to a stronger regional housing ecosystem.
Build Connections & Collaborate Across the Sector
- Networking with practitioners, policymakers, and organizations shaping the future of housing in Southeast Wisconsin
- Opportunities for cross‑sector collaboration
- Insights from state, county, and municipal partners
Gain Actionable Insights, Customized to Your Region
- Regional data and research on housing supply, demand, and affordability
- Community case studies and innovative local solutions
- Presentations from experts
Housing Summit Agenda
Breakout sessions follow 3 different pathways:
- Building Up & Maintaining Current Housing Stock
- Financing to Buy & Build Housing
- Embracing Housing Innovations
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome & Zoning in Southeastern WI
Ben Mackay, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
Keynote: Southeastern Wisconsin Housing by the Numbers
Matt Kures, Distinguished Community Economic Development Specialist and Researcher with the Community Development Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension
10:25 AM – 11:15 AM
Breakout Session #1
Building Up the Future Workforce Through Community Partnerships Panel
- Grant Buenger, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Racine & Kenosha Counties
- Dr. Kelly Demerath, Principal of the Career & College Academy
- Michael Ploch, Elkhorn YouthBuild Program Manager and Job Developer
Level Up Your Capital Stack by Leveraging Current Programs
- Elmer Moore, Jr., CEO and Executive Director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
Building Community Through Land, Trust, and Transformation: Housing Innovation Panel
- Lamont Davis, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Community Land Trust
- Mason Cavell, Executive Director of MACLT
11:25 AM – 12:15 PM
Breakout Session #2
Housing in Wisconsin: Legislative, Code, and Market Updates
- Brad Boycks, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA)
Factory to Foundation: Manufactured & Modular Homes in Your Community (ADUs included!)
- Amy Bliss, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Housing Alliance
12:15 PM – 12:55 PM
Lunch & Resource Fair
12:55 PM – 1:45 PM
Breakout Session #3
Building Resilient Housing Stock
- Laura K. Herrick PE, CFM
Chief Environmental Engineer for the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission - Erick Shambarger, Director of Environmental Sustainability for the City of Milwaukee
From Dollars to Doors: Driving Housing Solutions Through Creative Financing
- Josh Schoemann, County Executive of Washington County
From Vision to Rooftops: How Local Partnerships Are Reigniting Housing Development in Watertown
- Ben Wehmeier, President and CEO of Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation
- Nate Peters, CFO of Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation
- Deb Reinbold, President of Thrive Economic Development
1:15 PM – 2:55 PM
Understanding and Overcoming NIMBYISM
Paul Aylesworth, Director of Affordable and Sustainable Housing Development and Associated Director of MS in Real Estate in the Real Estate and Urban Land Economics Department at the Wisconsin School of Business
2:55 PM – 3:00 PM
Closing Remarks
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Developer & Municipal Mixer
Meet Our Sponsors
Want to make a difference? Become a Sponsor or Resource Table Host.
Contact steven.chmielewski@wisc.edu for more information.
This was a great event and there was so much information I found useful. Not only from a speaker standpoint but from an attendee standpoint, I was able to understand more of the economic impact housing has here, and what communities are doing to overcome the challenges they are facing in the Driftless Region.
Dustin Ingram, Senior Community Development Specialist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Summit
Contact Us
For More information, contact Savannah Meyers at:
(262) 857-1935
This event is open to all. The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law. You may request an interpreter, materials in an alternative language and/or format, and/or other services to make this event more accessible. Contact oaic@extension.wisc.edu. Make your request 25 days before the event. There is no added cost to you for these services.