I’m asking the Dunn County Board to vote “yes” on July 31st for the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Amendment for permitting Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on certain parcels.

Accessory Dwelling Units are simply small homes, 1,200 square feet or less, sometimes called “mother-in-law cottages”, that may either be a freestanding structure or an addition to an existing home. This amendment would give local residents the freedom to build ADU’s on their property in some agricultural and residential zones.

I live in the Town of Elk Mound, and I work with a local organization called Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin; or GROWW, for short. Starting in May, we have been knocking on doors in Dunn County to talk with people about their housing situations. Most people we’ve talked to are working full-time jobs, yet still have to pay more than a third or even sometimes half of their income to keep a roof over their heads.

In Menomonie, we talked with a mom who pays $1,300 a month for her two-bedroom apartment. During the conversation, her 12 year old daughter overheard us and stepped in to share that all she wants is her own bedroom but she knows not to get her hopes up anymore because she’s watched her parents struggle for so long.

Even our kids know there’s a housing crisis.