MILWAUKEE – On Monday, Jan. 9, joined by leaders from Acts Housing, Milwaukee County and the Milwaukee community, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley signed legislation formally allotting more than $2.5 million to the Acts Homeownership Acquisition Fund. This represents the most recent evidence of Milwaukee County prioritizing access to affordable housing.
“At Milwaukee County, we understand that housing is health and housing security is a critical social determinant of health,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “I am proud to help support Acts Housing as they seek to ensure more Milwaukee County families have equitable access to homeownership opportunities that will improve their lives.”
The funds were awarded to the Acts Homeownership Acquisition Fund by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in a December 15, 2022 vote, following a recommendation by the Milwaukee County American Resource Plan Act (ARPA) Task Force.
“We are grateful to Milwaukee County for its continued partnership, and to the County Executive and County Board of Supervisors who recognize affordable housing as a foundation of our community,” said Dorothy York, MBA, Vice President of Real Estate for Acts Housing. “The Acts Homeownership Acquisition Fund exists to ensure that families with low- to moderate-income in Milwaukee have access to affordable housing. Over the past several years, as housing prices soared and demand for housing stock increased, regular families have been shut out of the market. This funding will allow Acts Housing to compete with well-capitalized investors and corporate buyers to purchase local homes that we can sell back to local families.”
In total, Milwaukee County has invested $24.7 million of its ARPA funding toward housing-related efforts.
“Expanding access to housing is essential to our vision of achieving racial equity,” said Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson. “We cannot become the healthiest county in Wisconsin until we can ensure access to safe, sufficient housing for all. This fund will allow more children of color to grow up in stable homes, invest in our most historically disinvested communities, and target the root causes of health disparities. Thank you to Acts Housing and the Community Development Alliance for being strong partners on this vital project.”
