Housing
The City of Milwaukee offers a variety of resources and incentive programs to help current homeowners, home buyers, investors and non-profit organizations.
Please check with the program provider for latest program requirements and funding availability.
Select an option below to filter available resources:
(currently own a home in the City of Milwaukee as your primary residence)
I want to purchase a home or build a new home.
(purchase and live in the house as your primary residence in the City of Milwaukee)
I am an investor or a non-profit organization.
The City of Milwaukee has homes for sale for buyers interested in purchasing a property for homeownership. Most properties are in need of repair and resources are available assist buyers with repair costs. Properties are listed on the City’s website (milwaukee.gov/cityrealestate), as well as with local real estate brokers.
If you love the scale, details and craftsmanship of a historic home and love to renovate, we may have the perfect house for you. As a bonus, some of the homes listed have had extensive exterior repairs such as new roofs, chimneys and siding. These repairs will make the remaining renovations manageable and the whole project more affordable.
The City will provide up to a $35,000 forgivable loan to qualified owner-occupant buyers of city-owned homes. Both financial and technical assistance are provided as part of the program. The City is working with a number of lenders who can provide first mortgage loans to eligible potential homebuyers going through the program. Attend a Homebuyer Orientation Session to learn more.
The Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program offers forgivable grants of up to $7,000 to help you purchase your city-owned home. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for a home purchase in the City of Milwaukee. Grants of up to $7,000 are available if purchasing a home with in the City’s Community Development Block Grant Area boundary.
The City offers a $500 landscaping reimbursement for City-owned homes sold to owner-occupants only. Landscaping includes flowers, sod, grass seed, bushes, fencing, miscellaneous or purchase of lawn care tools including lawnmowers, snowblowers, trimmers, tillers, shovels, rakes, etc.
Build your NEW home in one of the city’s premier subdivisions located in the heart of the city - close to downtown! Choose from Walnut Circle, Josey Heights or The Legacy subdivisions. Fully improved lots, including sewer, water, lighting and sidewalks. Shop and compare – affordable lot pricing means more house for your money!
The City of Milwaukee will offer special consideration to interested homebuyers who live within 500 feet of a City owned property and will occupy the property. This consideration will be offered for the first 30 days of the listing of a property. If you live within 500 feet of a City owned property you can also refer someone and they’ll qualify under this program with your referral.
Currently there are no homes available, but stay in touch as we will be updating our page soon. Ready-To-Go-Homes are fully renovated homes for sale in the Harambee neighborhood. Houses are “move-in ready” and may include a new roof, furnace, water heater and other improvements. In the Harambee neighborhood, you will find committed residents and neighborhood organizations, new development, parks, the Beerline Trail and many other amenities.
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee offers homeownership opportunities for families living in their developments or participating in their Section 8 Program. In addition, the Housing Authority offers fully rehabilitated, “move in ready” homes for sale to any buyer.
First-time home buyers who live in subsidized or inadequate housing may qualify to purchase a house through Habitat for Humanity. A typical monthly mortgage payment is $500 – $700, and buyers must contribute hundreds of hours of labor on the construction of their own home and homes of their neighbors.
LBWN sells fully-renovated, energy-efficient houses are available for sale in the Silver City, Burnham Park and Layton Park neighborhoods on the City’s near south side. These properties combine modern conveniences with restoration of historic architectural details.
Milwaukee Christian Center’s community-based, affordable housing programs build reasonably priced housing that is sold to qualifying homeowners.
ACTS helps families purchase and renovate homes, with a focus on vacant and foreclosed homes. This includes assistance in home selection, developing and executing a rehabilitation plan and putting together the financing needed for the project.
Take Root Milwaukee (TRM) is a resource that connects people to local, low-cost and trustworthy organizations than can help them either buy a home or keep their home. TRM includes over 52 individuals and groups active in the home ownership sector such as housing counseling agencies, financial institutions, Realtors, local government, neighborhood organizations and other community partners – all working together to promote sustainable home ownership.
Local non-profit homebuying counseling agencies provide counseling on all aspects of home purchase, as well as resources (e.g., down payment assistance) for buying a home. ACTS Housing (414) 933-2215, Housing Resources Inc. (414) 461-6330, United Community Center (414) 384-3100
If you think you may have experienced discrimination in the housing market please reach out to the Fair Housing Council to talk further about your situation at 414-278-1240.
WHEDA has helped more than 133,000 Wisconsin renters, first-time home buyers, non-first-time home buyers, eligible veterans and more achieve their dream of homeownership. We offer unique financing options that get buyers into a home sooner, with a mortgage they can afford long-term.
The City of Milwaukee sells properties to responsible investor owners. Most properties are in need of repair. Properties are listed on the City’s website, as well as with local real estate brokers.
Under the City’s “Bulk Buyer” program, investors can purchase a minimum of five properties, at a reduced price of $5,000 each, if the property is listed for sale at $25,000 or less. To qualify for a bulk purchase, the buyer must have housing rehab experience.
The City of Milwaukee sells properties to nonprofit organizations at reduced prices. If the property has been on the market for more than 60 days and the asking price is $25,000 or less, the price is reduced to $1,000.
The Landlord Training Program provides free training to teach landlords ways to keep illegal activity out of their property, and how to manage it if/when nuisance activity does appear. Classes are free and held on a regular basis throughout the year at various locations.
The Rental Rehab Targeted Investment Neighborhood (TIN) program offers forgivable loans for rehabilitating rental properties located in a TIN, to responsible investor owners who currently live in the TIN neighborhood. Generally units must have at least 2 bedrooms to qualify. Further program requirements are applicable.
The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) offers a Primary Prevention Program for owners and tenants who would like to ensure their homes are lead safe. Through this program, eligible property owners are provided a grant to replace original windows that have lead-based paint.
If you think you may have experienced discrimination in the housing market please reach out to the Fair Housing Council to talk further about your situation at 414-278-1240.
The STRONG Homes Program offers low interest and deferred loans of up to $25,000 to owner occupants to make emergency and essential home repairs. After 10 years, 25% of loan is forgivable. Technical assistance is provided in preparing a scope of work for the property, obtaining bids and managing the construction process.
The Home Rehabilitation Program offers 0% interest and deferred payment home rehab loans to income qualified owner-occupants. Property must be located in a City Targeted Investment Neighborhood (TIN). Technical assistance is provided in preparing a scope of work for the property, obtaining bids and managing the construction process. See a list and map of TINS online.
Do you have a City-owned vacant lot next to your home? If so, you may be able to buy the lot and combine it with your property for added yard space. PLEASE NOTE: Only lots that have no development potential are available for $1. Other lots may be available for $100-$500.
The NIP Program assists eligible homeowners in repairing their homes. Eligible work includes code violations, maintenance and mechanical work. Assistance is provided by local NIP Service Agencies, working with local contractors.
The Compliance Loan Program provides 0% interest deferred payment loans to assist eligible homeowners in making repairs to fix exterior code violations on their homes. Homeowners must have observable code violations and meet income guidelines to qualify or the program. Assistance is provided in selecting a contractor and monitoring work. Call 414-286-2567 or email [email protected] for more information.
The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) offers a Primary Prevention Program for owners and tenants who would like to ensure their homes are lead safe. Through this program, eligible property owners are provided a grant to replace original windows that have lead-based paint.
Me2 makes it easy and affordable to make energy-saving upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, air conditioners, and now, windows! Summit Credit Union provides low-interest loans up to $15,000 for eligible home improvements. Single-family home, duplex, or triplex (3 units or less). Investors must be owner-occupants.
Whether you are a homeowner or run a business, there are financing options available to help you pay for your solar installation. Milwaukee Shines has partnered with Summit Credit Union to offer low-interest solar loans to Milwaukee homeowners.
If your lead water service line needs to be replaced due to leaking, damage during planned construction, or because the City owned section is being replaced, the City will notify you and work with you on the replacement. The City offers special assessment financing as well as cost-share for the owner’s part of the line replacement for properties with 1 to 4 dwelling units.
Housing Resources, Inc. is a housing counseling agency that works to help stabilize families, facilitate neighborhood improvement, and support homebuyer and homeowners in building and preserving equity for future generations. They have a few programs that might help you. Call 414-461-6330 for more information.
- Tool Loan Program
- Post Purchase Counseling
- Default Counseling
- Reverse Mortgage Counseling
Revitalize Milwaukee believes that once you can prosper in your home, you can prosper in every other part of your life. That's why they provide free home repairs to senior citizens, veterans, and people with disabilities throughout Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. The repairs don't just make homes look nicer, they improve health, safety, energy efficiency, and even save lives. For more information, go to our website or call (414) 312-7531.
Habitat’s Critical Repair program provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty and strengthening neighborhoods, Milwaukee Habitat is committed to helping more families achieve stability and independence. If you live in the Washington Park, Midtown, Harambee, Amani and Metcalfe Park neighborhoods and own your home, check out their website if they can help you with a critical home repair. Call them at 414-316-5606.
Take Root Milwaukee (TRM) is a resource that connects people to local, low-cost and trustworthy organizations than can help them either buy a home or keep their home. TRM includes over 52 individuals and groups active in the home ownership sector such as housing counseling agencies, financial institutions, Realtors, local government, neighborhood organizations and other community partners – all working together to promote sustainable home ownership.
If you think you may have experienced discrimination in the housing market please reach out to the Fair Housing Council to talk further about your situation at 414-278-1240.
If you are looking for new home improvement materials such as doors, windows, flooring, cabinets, etc. at a discount price check out Community Warehouse at 521 S 9th St or 324 W North Ave. For a $25 annual membership you will have access to all their warehouse prices.
Connect with Fresh Coast Guardians to get connected to resources for your home to help manage storm water runoff by installing a rain barrel, rain garden, or other projects to help beautify your home and manage storm water runoff. Contact them at 414-225-2222.