City of Green Bay Announces Partnership with CityWise Software to Launch Rental Housing Database

The City of Green Bay is excited to announce a new partnership with CityWise Software LLC to create a searchable online database of available rental housing units at no cost to the city. This innovative platform will connect residents with rental opportunities while providing property owners with better visibility for their properties.

"This partnership is an example of our commitment to using innovative solutions and partnerships to do everything we can to provide housing options to our residents, and, in this case, better connect our residents with the housing they're seeking," said Mayor Eric Genrich. "By working with CityWise, we're creating a local housing platform that is likely to have over 90% of available units listed. This is another way the City of Green Bay is taking action to address our housing shortage and make it easier for our residents to find their next home."

About CityWise Software

CityWise Software LLC is a Milwaukee-based company founded by entrepreneurs Jeremy Schmidt and Dominic Anzalone, the same team behind the successful national student housing platform College Pads. The company has rapidly expanded since launching in October 2024, partnering with twelve municipalities across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan to create locally-branded rental housing platforms.

CityWise's business model is unique in the rental housing space. The platform is funded entirely through modest monthly fees charged to landlords with buildings containing 20 or more units, while smaller apartment owners and those providing affordable housing can list their properties completely free of charge. This approach ensures broader participation from property owners who might otherwise be priced out of traditional rental listing services.

The company has successfully launched rental platforms for several Wisconsin communities, including:

CityWise has also partnered with Milwaukee County.

"We believe every renter deserves a clear, accessible way to find housing," said Jeremy Schmidt, chief operating officer at City Wise. "This platform helps remove some of the barriers renters face-especially in tight or confusing markets-by creating a straightforward path to available homes."

Green Bay's Partnership

The Green Bay Common Council's Protection and Policy Committee unanimously approved the partnership proposal on July 28, 2025, with the full Common Council passing the three-year agreement on August 5, 2025. The initiative represents another proactive step by the city to

address Green Bay's well-documented housing challenges.

According to a 2020 Housing Market Study, Green Bay faces significant housing demand pressures. The city needs between 3,314 and 7,441 new rental units by 2040 to keep up with projected demand, while current rental market conditions remain tight with low vacancy rates.

Key Features of Green Bay's Platform

The new rental database will offer several advantages over existing commercial platforms:

For Renters :

• Comprehensive listings including properties that don't typically appear on major rental websites
• Verified listings approved by CityWise to prevent fraudulent posts
• Focus on both market-rate and affordable housing options
• Easy search functionality by price, amenities, and availability

For Apartment Owners:

• Free listings for smaller properties and affordable housing providers
• Cost-effective option for larger property owners
• Direct connection to renters actively searching in Green Bay
• City endorsement providing credibility and visibility

For the City:

• Valuable data on housing search patterns and preferences
• Better understanding of rental market dynamics
• Tools to help implement housing policy initiatives
• No cost to taxpayers

Looking Ahead

CityWise will begin reaching out to Green Bay landlords following the agreement approval to encourage participation on the platform. The company has demonstrated strong success rates in engaging property owners in their other municipal partnerships, typically achieving 80-90% landlord participation.

The apartment listings are now live at apartments.greenbaywi.gov. CityWise continues working with local property owners to build the database. The platform is accessible through a city-branded website, providing residents with a trusted, locally-managed resource for finding rental housing.

Michael Bergman
Communications Director
City of Green Bay
Desk: (920) 448-3210 | Cell: (920) 934-0826

[email protected]

greenbaywi.gov