Neighborhood Improvement Project

The City of Milwaukee's Neighborhood Improvement Project (NIP) assists eligible owner occupants in repairing their homes. All repairs are based upon municipal building code violations, lead hazard reduction, health and safety concerns. NIP is not a remodeling program. To be considered for NIP program eligibility, homeowners must meet the guidelines listed below.

Note: You may participate in the NIP program one time only. If you have received previous service through the NIP program or another federally funded city home repair/home loan program, you may not be eligible.

View PDF of guidelines, terms and answers to frequently asked questions.

NIP Guidelines and Terms

Homeowner Eligibility Guidelines

• Must be the owner-occupant of an single family or duplex
• Must have owned and occupied the subject property for a minimum of five (5) years
• Must have a household income at or below 60% of the County median (as determined annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development )
• Must reside within one of the 18 Neighborhood Strategic Planning (NSP) areas for the City of Milwaukee (the Community Development Block Grant area) – see map
• Must be current on all property taxes, mortgage and utility payments
• Must have current homeowners insurance
• Have not received prior NIP (or Home Rehabilitation) assistance from the City of Milwaukee

Property Eligibility Guidelines*

• There is a maximum cost cap for properties that participate in the NIP program. Extremely distressed properties may not qualify.
• There is also a minimum cost for required work. If your home is in relatively good condition and has no critical code violations, your property may not be eligible for this program. *Additional eligibility requirements may apply.

NIP Terms

If you are accepted into the NIP program the following terms will apply:

• Owners must sign legal documents at the time of application agreeing to remain the owner occupant for a minimum of five (5) years or throughout the period of affordability (per HUD guidelines). All required work as outlined by DNS must be corrected including both maintenance and mechanical items. Properties must be code compliant once NIP work is completed.
• All work performed (maintenance, mechanical and lead work) is done as a forgivable loan secured by a Covenant Document. For single family properties, the cost of maintenance work is forgiven 5 years after the Covenant has been signed. For owner-occupied duplexes, the cost of maintenance work is forgiven after the Period of Affordability requirements have been met (details will be provided by your NIP agency).

NIP Agencies

Applicants must apply through one of the six (6) community-based NIP Agencies. You may apply to one agency only, so please select the agency closest to your home.

Community First Inc.
3940 W. Lisbon Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218
(414) 409-7192

Gibraltor Development of Milwaukee Corp.
P. O. Box 241812, Milwaukee, WI 53223
(414) 810-2120

Milwaukee Christian Center
807 S. 14th St., Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 643-7704

Sherman Park Community Association
3526 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53216
(414) 444-9803, Ext. 100

Social Development Commission (CR-SDC) 
1730 W. North Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53205
(414) 906-2816

WestCare/Harambee Community Involvement
335 W. Wright St., Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414) 239-9359, Ext. 80100