Episode 134: Scott Bader, President, Door County Housing Partnership

In this episode of ChangeMakers with Katie Goar, we meet Scott Bader, President of the Door County Housing Partnership.

With more than 40 years in real estate, Scott shares how he shifted from selling vacation homes in Wisconsin’s “Cape Cod of the Midwest” to leading efforts that create permanent affordable housing for the local workforce.

Scott explains how the community land trust model works, why Door County’s unique mix of tourism and second-home ownership has fueled a housing crisis, and how his team collaborates with partners like Habitat for Humanity to keep homes affordable for teachers, nurses, service workers, and other essential members of the community.


You’ll hear about the challenges of scaling workforce housing in a resort destination, the importance of donor and government partnerships, and how small wins like one home at a time can make a lasting impact.


This conversation highlights a practical model that other communities facing housing shortages can adopt, and it shows how local leadership and collaboration can build not just homes, but stronger communities.