Good luck trying to find an affordable apartment or buy a home in Madison these days. As the city keeps growing, so does the cost of housing. To talk about the situation we’re in and what local and state governments can do about it, host Ali Muldrow is joined by Senator Kelda Roys. 

They discuss the Ella Apartments and programs like the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), zoning and accessory dwelling units, the very narrow pathways to home ownership, how hard it is for people to downsize and stay in their community, and whether Madison will go down the gentrification path. Senator Roys says that in the long term if we can’t solve housing, our communities are going to lose their vibrancy. “We’ve go to live together if we’re going to thrive,” she says.

While the average price of a home has soared to nearly half a million dollars, the number of kids experiencing homelessness in the city is also growing. The city can’t build new homes or apartments fast enough, and the cost and availability of building supplies is up in the air under Trump’s tariffs. So who will get to live here and how well? Senator Roys says these issues are tied to whether we advocate for a pluralistic society or a puritanical and authoritarian one. In the long run, Muldrow says it’s cheaper to help people rather than hurt them. 

State Senator Kelda Roys is a member of the Joint Committee on Finance. A leading voice in the state capitol for abortion rights, investment in child care, and full funding of our public schools so that everyone has the opportunity to build a better life and thrive. Kelda lives in Madison with her husband and three children and began her second term in the 26th State Senate District in January 2025.

Featured image: photo of Senator Kelda Roys.

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