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Residents Preference Program Changes

The Residents Preference Program (RPP) enables unemployed or underemployed residents of the City of Milwaukee gain access to construction employment opportunities. Most DPW contracts require contractors to employ RPP-certified workers with an overall requirement that 40% of all hours be attributed to RPP-certified employees. The specific RPP requirements of each DPW project can be found in the bid advertisement.

Changes to this program. Effective for all contracts published June 25, 2026 or later, the following changes apply:

Certification Requirements:

The City Clerk has designated the following Special Impact Area zip codes to high and extreme poverty.

List of high-poverty zip codes (valid 01/01/2026 – 12/31/2031) - issued 06/24/2026

RPP Participation Requirements for all construction contracts awarded in excess of $500,000:

One-quarter of the total required RPP hours on the project must be worked by RPP-certified workers residing in high and extreme poverty zip codes. These zip codes are determined by the City Clerk’s office every five years. For the period beginning 01/01/2026, these zip codes are:

High Poverty

  • 53204
  • 53208
  • 53209
  • 53210
  • 53212
  • 53215
  • 53216
  • 53218
  • 53224

Extreme Poverty

  • 53205
  • 53206
  • 53233

One-quarter of the apprentice hours must be worked by RPP-certified apprentices. 40% of these RPP-certified apprentice hours must be worked by RPP-certified apprentices in the high and extreme poverty zip codes identified above.

 

** June 2026 RPP Changes - Quick Reference **

 

**Please note that the changes outlined above are not retroactive and applies to all DPW projects that are awarded with a publication date AFTER June 25, 2026. All DPW projects that were published prior to June 25, 2026 will follow the standard RPP participation compliance that was issued at that time.**

 

Any questions regarding RPP on DPW contracts should be directed to the DPW Contracts Office at 414-286-3314 or [email protected].

 

RPP Documents