Cinnaire Solutions and co-developer Northernstar Companies, in partnership with the City of La Crosse, celebrated the grand opening of The Collective on Fourth, a new 62-unit, mixed-income affordable housing community located just south of downtown at 403 Jackson Street.
Developed in response to a City-led initiative to address La Crosse’s housing shortage, The Collective on Fourth is designed to provide safe, high-quality housing for individuals and families across income levels, including those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The four-story development includes a community classroom designed to host local organizations such as Workforce Connections, Inc., which will provide job training and employment counseling to both residents and community members. The Collective on Fourth is designed with long-term sustainability and efficiency in mind and received Energy Star Multifamily Certification as well as WI Green Built Home Gold Standard Certification.
Nicole Solheim, Senior Vice President of Development at Cinnaire Solutions, emphasized the significance of the project, stating, “The Collective on Fourth is more than just housing—it’s a deeply collaborative project that meets urgent community needs while helping La Crosse reach its goal of reducing homelessness. We would not be here today without the support of the City of La Crosse community, staff, and elected officials who recognized the dire need for affordable housing and decided to do something about it.”
“At its core, affordable housing is not just about shelter; it’s about creating a more equitable and vibrant society where individuals can thrive, communities can prosper, and people can call housing – a home,” said DFI Secretary-designee Wendy K. Baumann. “At the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, we are committed to advancing financial literacy, access, and opportunity – so every person in Wisconsin has the financial knowledge, tools, and resources to build a stronger financial future and achieve their goals and dreams.”
Speakers at the grand opening included Tom Thibodeau from Viterbo University, Elmer Moore, CEO of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), Wendy Baumann, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Dan Hereth, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, and Nicole Solheim of Cinnaire Solutions. WEDC CEO Missy Hughes was in attendance at the event as well.
“Affordable housing is critical to creating strong communities. The Collective on Fourth will give more families in the La Crosse area a sense of stability and an opportunity to thrive. WHEDA is honored to help make this happen,” said Elmer Moore, Jr., CEO and Executive Director of WHEDA.
The grand opening for this transformative development is part of Wisconsin’s Affordable Housing Week, organized by the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The Collective on Fourth was made possible through financial support and collaboration with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), the City of La Crosse, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Merchants Bank, Citizens State Bank, and Cinnaire. Design and construction were led by Korb Architecture and Borton Construction.
“We’re excited to be a part of this grand opening and tour this unique project in the heart of La Crosse,” said DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth. “As Wisconsin’s safety agency, we’ve been engaging groups across the state this Affordable Housing Week on ways our department can help facilitate more development of safe and affordable housing projects like The Collective on Fourth.”
The project site was compiled and purchased by the City of La Crosse, who issued a Request for Proposals that emphasized the provision of affordable housing and units specifically set aside to serve formerly homeless individuals and families. The overall vision for the site emphasized the need to address homelessness and housing insecurity, provide inclusive housing options, and offer on-site support services to promote long-term resident success.