Rental Housing Discussed at Commerce

Representatives from the WI Apt Association - Rental Housing Legislative Council spent part of their Madison legislative day on March 19 at the Department of Commerce (Commerce). After lunch in the first floor conference room, the 70 participants heard an introductory speech given by Commerce Secretary Jack L Fischer AIA. Secretary Fischer recognized the importance of the residential rental business and the impact it has on economic and community development in the state. He briefly explained the department's regulatory funding roles and activities regarding housing contractors and affordable housing and community development.

Sec. Fischer took several questions from the group. They were very familiar with the Commerce- sponsored affordable housing database known as WIFrontDoor and commented that they wanted it to have even more visibility on the World Wide Web.

Greg Jones, Division Administrator for Safety and Buildings addressed the group as did Marty Evanson, Director of the Commerce Bureau of Supportive Housing. Afterward, individual members of the group discussed various tenant, housing quality and licensing matters with Tom Kasper, Safety Buildings and Marty Evanson and Melisa Perez of DHCD.

-- Marty Evanson