Homes MKE

Renovating Vacant Homes and Returning Them to Productive Use

In 2021, the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee allocated $15 million in Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the Department of City Development (DCD) for the Homes MKE Program to renovate vacant houses in the City’s inventory of tax-foreclosed residential properties and return them to productive use.

The goals of Homes MKE are to:

• sell, renovate and reoccupy up to 150 vacant foreclosed City owned houses.
• prioritize the development of the houses to provide home ownership opportunities for City residents.
• coordinate redevelopment efforts in a manner that results in a positive impact for the surrounding neighborhood.
• provide construction and job opportunities.
• provide development opportunities for emerging developers.
• collaborate with local residents to provide housing and resource opportunities in neighborhoods where Program properties are located.

What's Happening Right Now: April 19, 2023: Builders have begun renovations at multiple vacant City-owned properties throughout Milwaukee. Text, "Homes MKE" to (414)708-1182 to start your homeownership journey today!

• On The Market: Homes MKE properties renovated and ready for sale
• Program Flyer; Panfleto del Programa en Español
• Photo Gallery: Building Homes MKE
• Video: Homes MKE Builder, Ezekiel CDC, talks about their skilled trades training program

If you are interested in developer or resident information regarding Homes MKE, click a street sign below to learn how Homes MKE might work for you:

News:

• April 21, 2023: Milwaukee Business Journal: Project to rehab 150 vacant Milwaukee houses officially kicks off
• April 20, 2023: Milwaukee Independent: Homes MKE: Initiative Begins Renovating Vacant City-Owned Houses to Build Stronger Neighborhoods 
• April 19, 2023: FOX 6 YouTube Video: Homes MKE kicks off- DCD Commissioner, Common Council, and Builders Speak
• April 19, 2023: FOX 6: Homes MKE kicks off; initiative renovates city-owned properties
• April 19, 2023: CBS 58: Milwaukee kicks off Homes MKE initiative aiming to renovate vacant houses
• April 19, 2023: TMJ4: City launches program to renovate 150 vacant homes across Milwaukee
• April 19, 2023: Spectrum News: Milwaukee to renovate 150 vacant houses, create affordable housing
• April 19, 2023: Urban Milwaukee: Work Starts on Redeveloping 150 Vacant Homes
• September 28, 2022: Urban Milwaukee: Mayor Cavalier Johnson Signs Resolution to Advance Homes MKE Initiative
• September 13, 2022: Milwaukee Business Journal: Milwaukee's ARPA-funded home rehabs to start later this year, 15 developers selected
• September 13, 2022: BizTimes: City announces partners for Homes MKE initiative
• September 13, 2022: Urban Milwaukee: 66 Developers Bid To Rehab City’s Vacant Homes
• September 12, 2022: Press Release: Development Teams Announced for Homes MKE Initiative
• August 22, 2022: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel​​​​​​​: Milwaukee received $44 million in federal funds for affordable housing. Here's how the city plans to spend it.
• April 29, 2022: Press Release: American Rescue Plan Act funding will support Homes MKE initiative to renovate vacant houses, build stronger neighborhoods