Bridging the Housing Gap: Stories from Two Midwest Communities

An Innovative Cities Lecture

Communities of every size are facing mounting housing shortages—from overall supply constraints to the lack of affordable options. This session explores practical strategies for expanding housing availability through the experiences of a mid-sized Wisconsin city (La Crosse) and a small Minnesota community (Wabasha). Learn how each community gathers and uses data to demonstrate need, applies a range of financing tools to make projects feasible, and implements planning approaches designed to attract investors, encourage development, and deliver more housing where it’s needed most.

Biographies

Caroline Gregerson has been City Administrator for the City of Wabasha for 5 years. In her role, she manages 37 full-time and part-time employees, staffs the Wabasha Port Authority, oversees all major projects for the City including housing, transportation, child care. Prior to that role, she worked for the City of La Crosse as their Community Development Administrator for 8 years. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Syracuse University Maxwell School.  

Mara Keyes is the Community Development Manager for the City of La Crosse, Wisconsin. She manages federal dollars that support essential services for low-income residents – through nonprofit organizations and by building and preserving affordable housing. Her work bridges the gap between policy, programming and people to make meaningful impact in the community. Prior to her role in La Crosse Mara provided grants and loans to entrepreneurs as part of the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation.  She serves on the YWCA board, is a founding board member of the La Crosse Film Academy and the Rivoli Arts District, and represents the City of La Crosse on the La Crosse Promise Board and the School District’s Early Childhood Steering Committee.

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