Wausau rents up 67% since 2010 as housing supply lags, draft plan shows

By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review Wausau rents rose 67% from 2010 to 2024, outpacing three peer cities, and nearly half of renters now spend too much on housing, a draft city plan shows. The figures appear in a draft housing chapter for Wausau’s updated comprehensive plan, the long-range document that guides land use and development decisions. The Wausau Plan Commission is scheduled to discuss the draft Nov. 17. People in a city focus group told planners that public opposition is among the biggest barriers to new housing, and that builders are watching. “Builders look at local Facebook pages and social media. If they can see the public tends to oppose projects, they are less likely to do projects in those areas,” according to a staff summary of the session. Participants included builders, a real estate broker, a lender, a property manager, Habitat for Humanity and city officials. The draft also shows how slowly Wausau’s housing supply has grown.

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