Strengthening Neighborhoods

Building and preserving strong neighborhoods is a top priority for Mayor Barrett. As Mayor, he has invested hundreds of millions in neighborhoods throughout Milwaukee to increase housing stability and affordability and fight back against blight and foreclosure. Mayor Barrett knows Milwaukee succeeds when every family has stable and affordable housing, and will continue to build neighborhood partnerships and make investments that deliver for Milwaukee families.

Mayor Barrett’s wins for Milwaukee neighborhoods include:

• Development and construction of over 6,000 new affordable units in Milwaukee neighborhoods since 2004
• Upgrading 5 neighborhood libraries and adding new housing through an innovative mixed-use development strategy
• Convening the Milwaukee Foreclosure Partnership Initiative in response to the 2009 foreclosure crisis
• Winning mortgage relief for Milwaukee homeowners and fighting for accountability on vacant homes
• Investing over $70 million in the Strong Neighborhoods Plan to stabilize city neighborhoods hit by foreclosure
• Selling over 3,000 vacant City owned properties, reclaiming $170M in value from foreclosure
• Converting vacant lots to parks, gardens, and recreation spaces
• Creating over 800 supportive housing units for the homeless and those with special housing needs
• Re-investing in public housing and the future of affordable housing through Westlawn Gardens and the $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative
• Investing $14 million in neighborhood commercial corridors to support barbershops, restaurants, and small business opportunity throughout the City

In 2018, Mayor Barrett announced the goal of creating 10,000 affordable housing opportunities in 10 years. That effort is on track, with 1,500 new units, home purchases, or rehabbed homes completed in the first 18 months.

Learn more and keep up with progress toward 10,000 Homes here.