Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann pitches smaller homes to attract young residents

Josh Schoemann, Washington County Executive, said on WashCo Weekly that the county is focusing on building smaller houses on smaller lots to create affordable ownership options for young people.

"That's kind of what we're shooting for," Schoemann said, describing the aim as giving young people "just a shot at the American dream." He said West Bend's population has been "pretty stagnant," driven in part by an older-skewing population and fewer births, and that the trend affects Washington County broadly.

Schoemann outlined the county's approach as encouraging development of smaller starter homes and expanding first-time buyer opportunities so that recent graduates and early-career residents can afford to live locally. He urged young people to organize, attend meetings and use social media to make clear they want housing and opportunities in the county.

As an example of affordability pressures, Schoemann estimated current apartment rents at about $1,500 to $1,800 per month, saying that level is "a little steep" for people just out of college or high school. He framed the housing push as a long-term effort: "Maybe in ... about 5, 10 years you'll be looking for one of those," he said of small starter homes the county hopes to encourage.

The county executive also recommended community involvement—events, online organizing and showing up to meetings—as a civic route for young people to influence housing choices. He did not cite specific zoning changes, funding sources or development projects in the interview and did not announce any formal action or vote.