Housing in Milwaukee County

Creating quality housing is a proven international strategy for reducing poverty. Here in Milwaukee, issues of high poverty and an increasing problematic housing stock are well-documented. Not only are physical housing conditions a matter of concern for Milwaukee, but the conditions of the housing market are equally problematic. Specifically, issues involve foreclosures, sub-prime mortgages, affordability, and homelessness.

For these reasons, SDC has been working in the areas of housing preservation for several years. In addition to running a well-respected and effective weatherization program, SDC has expanded its impact into the areas of neighborhood improvement. First, SDC has built a close partnership with Walnut Way Conservation Corp. by advancing the Zilber Family Foundation’s Lindsay Heights Quality of Life—specifically, its neighborhood housing initiatives. These initiatives enable low-income Milwaukee County residents to improve their fiscal and physical health by improving their living environment.

In addition to the work detailed above, SDC is also expanding its work with the City of Milwaukee’s Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP), which helps low-income home owners make needed improvements to their properties through forgivable loans.  NIP improves our neighborhoods, employees private contractors, and enables low-income households to develop self-sustaining assets.

To get a better idea about the NIP program and its impact on the community, check out the story below:

A customer of SDC’s Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) named Ms. T. recently took the time to email the agency and share the impact the program had on her and her family.

“I was a recipient of the NIP program for the property at N. 46th St. Milwaukee, WI 53210. I just wanted to say Bob (Falk) and inspector Dempsey were some of the most professional and kind people I had ever met. The lady at the SDC office Ofelia (Mondragon) was very nice and efficient. The weatherization services company hired (the owner’s first name was Devon) and all the men who worked for him were excellent. I just had to write to you and tell you what a blessing your program was to my family; without it we would have lost our home. You were our only help. Please forward this to the CEO of your program and to any legislator in Congress to keep this program going. God bless you and everyone who works hard to help poor people. He that lendeth to the poor lendeth to God.”