Milwaukee Public-Philanthropic Housing Partnership Recognized Nationally
Industry Update
June 16, 2023
Source: Milwaukee Courier
As the innovative work of community partners to provide a quality, affordable home for every Milwaukeean gains momentum in the city, it is also gaining attention nationally for its early results, cross-sector collaboration and strategic focus on racial equity.
For more than a decade, an affiliation of organizations known as the Community Development Alliance has jointly supported neighborhood-based housing solutions and, since 2020, has led Milwaukee’s first collective affordable housing plan. Adopted in partnership with the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County and a host of funders, practitioners and advocates, the plan advances racial equity through systems change, including creating opportunities for 32,000 more Black and Latino residents to become homeowners.
This month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Council on Foundations awarded the Greater Milwaukee Foundation – a founding partner and a principal funder of the CDA – the2023 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. In its role, the Foundation helps develop strategy and align resources with partners in government and the nonprofit sector to advance shared goals, together with the other members of the CDA Funders Council – Bader Philanthropies, the Department of City Development, Northwestern Mutual Foundation and Zilber Family Foundation.
“The collective affordable housing plan for Milwaukee’s aim is to advance racial equity by providing a quality, affordable home for every Milwaukeean, prioritizing Black and Latino homeownership.” said Janel Hines, vice president of community impact for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. “Affordable housing is one of the Foundation’s priorities in our efforts to create a Milwaukee for all. Housing is typically the largest expenditure for any family, specifically for working families. Access to safe, affordable, dignified housing contributes to the health and well-being of families and communities.”
In a few short years, the collective affordable housing plan already is generating strong support and demonstrating progress in priority areas. To date, CDA partners have leveraged over $24 million to advance three key goals: investing in the construction of 150 new homes, acquiring 100 homes per year for homeownership and supporting hundreds of families with down payment assistance.
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