Housing Element

What is the Housing Element? 

The Housing Element (formerly known as Growing MKE) is the result of a citywide planning initiative to support Milwaukee's evolving housing needs. The Housing Element is part of the City of Milwaukee's Comprehensive Plan and replaces the Citywide Policy Plan's Housing & Neighborhoods Chapter. 

We didn't start from scratch... The vision and policies in our Comprehensive Plan are still relevant today and several recent planning efforts were incorporated. The Housing Element incorporates goals and recommendations for ma number of recent housing-related planning efforts across the city to support the implementation of policies and recommendations found in the Anti-displacement Plan, the Collective Affordable Housing Strategic Plan (developed with the cross sector Community Development Alliance and endorsed by the Common Council), and the City's 14 Area Plans.

The Housing Element updated to the Citywide Comprehensive Plan includes new commitments and updates to previous statement that reflect the housing choice Milwaukeeans desire. Your can view the proposed Housing Element and other materials on the engagement website: engage.milwaukee.gov/HousingElement.

Proposed Draft Plan & Adoption Process

Thank you to everyone who provided comments on the Draft Plan! We appreciate the time and thoughtful comments that Milwaukee community provided throughout this planning process. 

The adoption process is underway.

The Plan will need to be formally adopted as an ordinance by the Common Council (File No. 240402).

1. The May 1, 2025 Draft Plan was reviewed and recommended for adoption at City Plan Commission (CPC) meeting on Monday, June 2, 2025 with a few adjustments based on feedback. To watch a recording of the CPC meeting click here.
2. Public hearing at Zoning, Neighborhood, and Development Committee (ZND) – details pending. ZND will be reviewing the updated proposed June 9, 2025 Final Draft of the Housing Element.
3. Adoption by the Common Council – details pending, pending recommendation from ZND

How can you offer feedback on the proposed Plan?

The Zoning, Neighborhoods, and Development Committee (ZND) will review the proposed plan update at an upcoming meeting. Meeting date and details are TBD. This website will be updated when meeting details are determined.

Questions about the Housing Element? Email [email protected]

Want to learn more about the project?

Visit the Engagement website to: 

• View the Proposed Plan, Executive Summary, FAQs, Summary of Changes
• Access information from past engagement opportunities (recordings of Webinars, Public Meeting Open House Boards, etc.)
• Learn more about the project through the resource page

engage.milwaukee.gov/HousingElement

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Community engagement for this project is supported by a Community Challenge grant from AARP. Thank you AARP for your support and partnership in this project!