Plan Would Add Thousands of New Black, Latino Homeowners in Milwaukee

A new plan to add 18,000 affordable housing units in Milwaukee is the latest in a string of efforts by the city to ensure housing affordability to all income levels and address the racial homeownership gap in the city.

1 minute read

September 10, 2021, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A Black LIves Matter Protest, with a protestor holding up a sign that reads "Open Your Eyes: Systemic Racism Is Real"

Scenes from a Black Lives Matter protest in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in June 2020. | William Gottemoller / Shutterstock

The Community Development Alliance has released a new plan to create 18,000 affordable homes for low-income and minority residents in Milwaukee over the next decade.

According to an article by Jeramey Jannene, the plan is "designed to address both homeownership and rental housing and targeted at those making between $15,080 to $31,200 per year ($7.25 to $15 per hour)."

Moreover, "The plan also includes an explicit focus on addressing racial inequity."

According to a separate article by Talis Shelbourne, the plan would spend, over ten years, "$69.3 million more in grants and $66.2 million more in loan capital from banks and other lenders" than currently planned.

"That investment, the report stated, would result in 8,100 new Black and Latino homeowners and 9,750 homes for families making $7.25 to $15 an hour. The remainder envisioned by the plan would come in subsequent decades," according to Shelbourne.

The plan is the latest effort in Milwaukee to fund affordable housing and address the city's racial housing gap. Sophie Carson and Alison Dirr reported in July that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced $30 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund housing initiatives.

The Community Development Alliance was founded in 2011, with backing from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Zilber Family Foundation, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, and the city of Milwaukee.

Tuesday, September 7, 2021 in Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Portland Bus Lane

‘Forward Together’ Bus System Redesign Rolling Out in Portland

Portland is redesigning its bus system to respond to the changing patterns of the post-pandemic world—with twin goals of increasing ridership and improving equity.

August 30, 2023 - Mass Transit

An aerial view of Milwaukee’s Third Ward.

Plan to Potentially Remove Downtown Milwaukee’s Interstate Faces Public Scrutiny

The public is weighing in on a suite of options for repairing, replacing, or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee.

August 27, 2023 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Conceptual rendering of Rikers Island redevelopment as renewable energy facility

Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?

New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?

August 24, 2023 - Mark McNulty

A rendering of the Utah City master planned, mixed-use development.

700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah

A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.

August 31 - Daily Herald

A line of cars wait at the drive-thru window of a starbucks.

More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus

Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.

August 31 - The Denver Post

Air pollution is visible in the air around high-rise buildings in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says

Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.

August 31 - Phys.org