Page 76 - 2015 Compass Now

Figure 4: Rating of the Availability of Affordable, Quality Housing

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0% La Crosse Monroe Trempealeau Vernon Houston
32.8
Excellent 29.3 19.8 23.8 23.0 43.8
Good 23.4
Poor/Fair 48.9 49.1 47.6 48.3

21.8 31.1 28.6 28.7

Source: COMPASS NOW 2015 Random Household Survey

The age of a community’s housing stock is an indicator of the type and quality of its housing. Older homes
can contribute to the preservation of community history, are often centrally located, and thus are within
walking distance to amenities, which could lower the amount of fossil fuel emissions into the environment8,
and can often offer certain character and a more mature landscape than newer homes. However, older
homes can also be difficult to maintain, can need expensive repairs (electric, plumbing, flooring), are
sometimes more costly to heat and cool due to ineffective insulation, and potentially contain lead-based
paint that when eaten or inhaled can cause harm to children. Table 6 shows that about half of all housing
units in the region were built prior to 1970 and may require more upkeep than newer homes. Many homes
built before 1970 have been remodeled and some are now in better shape than newer homes.

Table 6: Housing Stock

County Total # of Units Built % of Homes
Housing Units Pre-1970 Pre-1970
La Crosse 44%
INCOME/ECONOMIC Monroe 48,542 21,570 45%
Trempealeau 52%
Vernon 19,267 8,700 54%
Houston 53%
Regional Total 12,655 6,627 48%

13,720 7,413

8,588 4,545

102,772 48,855

Source: American Community Survey Estimates, 2009-2013

In 2008, the U.S. economy entered an enormous mortgage crisis and more citizens faced foreclosure during
this period than any other time in known history. Foreclosure have many causes. Unexpected debts or
the loss of a job immediately following the purchase of a home can be so impactful that the homeowner
is no longer able to make mortgage payments. Poor financial planning can result in an inability to sustain
mortgage payments. Nonetheless, the majority of homeowners do everything within their means to keep
their home, and foreclosure is most often approached as a last resort. Figure 5 shows the number of
foreclosures in our area over the past five years.

68 COMPASS NOW 2015