53-unit affordable housing facility for seniors to be built in Menasha

The complex will be located off Oneida Street, south of Midway Road. Construction is set to begin in 2027 and the facility is expected to open in 2028.

The developer, MF Housing Partners, is receiving a $1.2 million tax credit from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). The project will be privately financed.

“They need places to be able to age with dignity within their community that is within reach for affordability,” said Menasha Mayor Austin Hammond. “Things aren’t getting cheaper, and a lot of them want to stay within their community, but maybe don’t want the same size of house that they’ve had.”

To be eligible to apply to live at the facility, you must be 55 years or older with an annual income of 60% or less than the median county income. Currently in Winnebago County, that is about $45,000 per year.

While there’s no available list of affordable senior housing facilities in the Fox Cities, it’s the first one Menasha has built in decades. As the project progresses, more information and renderings will be released.

“Finding places for these individuals to live and bringing them into the city, if they’re looking for a place like that, is going to be beneficial for the city,” said Principal Planner Matt Larsen.

The project is part of Menasha’s overall goal to increase housing. Just this year, Menasha has issued permits for 189 housing units, including a 105-unit apartment complex across the street from the upcoming seniors housing facility.

“What [the complex for seniors] also might do indirectly is free up housing for first-time homebuyers too, and families that are looking for housing needs within our community,” said Hammond.

Menasha projects it needs to build about 70 housing units each year to keep up with the need. The need for senior housing is likely to increase, as a Menasha study from about five years ago estimates the 85-and-older population will more than double by 2040.