FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2022

City of Milwaukee Seeking Developer Proposals for Homes MKE Initiative

American Rescue Plan Act funding will support Homes MKE initiative to renovate vacant houses, build stronger neighborhoods

MILWAUKEE – The Department of City Development (DCD) is seeking proposals from developers to participate in the Homes MKE initiative. This effort will renovate vacant City-owned residential properties that will help build stronger neighborhoods throughout Milwaukee.

In 2021, Mayor Cavalier Johnson and members of the Milwaukee Common Council allocated $15 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to DCD for the Homes MKE program. The goal is to renovate vacant houses in the City’s inventory of tax-foreclosed residential properties and return them to productive use.

“Growing up in Milwaukee, I experienced the effects of housing insecurity just as many residents and families currently are. This is personal for me, so we worked to deploy federal ARPA funds for this initiative that will revitalize vacant properties into new homes,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “Together, we are working to build stronger neighborhoods, promote homeownership, and ensure every Milwaukeean has access to the quality, affordable housing they need.”

The goals of Homes MKE are to:

• Sell, renovate and reoccupy a minimum of 150 vacant foreclosed City-owned houses;
• Prioritize the development of the houses to provide home ownership opportunities for City residents;
• Coordinate redevelopment efforts that result in a positive impact for the surrounding neighborhood;
• Provide construction and job opportunities;
• Provide development opportunities for emerging developers; and
• Collaborate with local residents to provide housing and resource opportunities in neighborhoods where Homes MKE properties are located.

The full RFP is available HERE.