STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — City leaders in Stevens Point will once again consider an ordinance change to allow up to four unrelated people to live in a single-family dwelling.
Mayor Mike Wiza says it’s a way to help solve the affordable housing crisis while providing a new option for those who want to own a home and provide cheap housing to friends or distant family. “I can buy a house and have a couple of roommates living with me. It makes it more affordable for them and helps me pay my mortgage so I start building equity. It won’t fix all the issues, but it will make housing more accessible to people on lesser incomes.”
He says housing is not a “one size fits all” issue. “Something that you think is great housing, I may not like as much. There are people that want two-acre lots with a big yard and no neighbors. There are also people that like [what I have.] My house is on a small lot and I know all my neighbors.
“Some people are OK with paying $1,200-$1,500 per month for the housing they like, and there are other people who want a $600 per month bare-bones place to flop my head and cook my breakfast. Housing is a spectrum and we try to address each segment of that spectrum to the best of our ability,” added Wiza.
The proposal is up for a public hearing during today’s Plan Commission meeting at 6:00 PM in the community room of the Police Station on Michigan Avenue. Those who can’t attend can submit written comments to the Mayor’s office, participate in the meeting via Zoom, or watch the meeting on the city’s website.
Other topics Wiza discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- City garbage reminders
6:30- Unrelated Housemates proposal
13:36- Riverfront Rendezvous announcement
Comments