APPLETON, Wis. — Mark Steine has helped build a few Greater Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity homes over the past 17 years.
He’s hands on with construction but also helps volunteers who are sawing, hammering and caulking as the build comes together.
“Every day I show up, I know I can make a difference for somebody,” Steine said while working on a home in Appleton Tuesday. “The homeowner was in my training class I did earlier this year. I’ve met a lot of the homeowners through working on-site and doing the training classes.”
Prior to retirement, he worked at a foundry where one of his jobs was helping to find and keep the workforce.
Steine said he knows first-hand the value affordable house has for worker attraction and retention.
“If somebody has a stable house, they’re going to be much more prone to be able to stay in the job market,” he said. “As we take care of the housing opportunities here in the Valley, I think it makes it a more attractive place to live and people may tend to relocate here.”
Many businesses across Wisconsin are seeking people for open positions as operations expand or grow. Finding those people can be tough.
That’s where offering homes where they can afford to live may make individual communities — and the state as a whole — an attractive place for people to settle.
Rep. Lee Snodgrass, D-Appleton, said no single entity can tackle the issue alone.
“If we want more homeowners, we must work together,” she said. “Builders, developers, realtors — yes, politicians — the city, the state and organizations like Habitat for Humanity to make it affordable and accessible.”
Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-Fox Crossing, said the legislature is taking action on the issue. He pointed to legislation passed earlier this summer that focuses on affordable housing.
“We’re all on the same page. We need to find ways to make sure our housing needs are being met in this area,” he said. “If our housing needs are met, our workforce needs are going to be met.”
Steine said these homes not only impact individuals but also communities. However, it takes a lot of work.
“Today we’re doing the framing. They’re going to build the walls,” he said. “We’ll get the walls in place, and we’ll sheet the outside of the walls. This house has to be ready to have trusses put on on Monday. Monday, the trusses go on and the roof goes on. Once the roof goes on, then it’s all the steps right behind that.”
