Oak Creek Common Council unanimously approved new affordable housing subdivision
OAK CREEK, WI – Today at Oak Creek City Hall, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley joined local leaders and partners to announce that the Oak Creek City Council has unanimously approved the first-ever affordable housing subdivision in a suburban community in Milwaukee County.
Crowley also announced that the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Housing Services will serve as the lead developer for this first-of-a-kind development that will build up to 50 homes at 9050 S. Annette Place in Oak Creek.
“My administration remains committed to addressing the affordable housing crisis for working families across Milwaukee County,” said County Executive Crowley. “This first-of-its-kind project, an affordable subdivision in a suburban community, represents the continuation of our work to make critical investments that provide families with expanded access to becoming homeowners, improving their lives, strengthening our neighborhoods, and fostering a healthier community for all.”
County Executive Crowley worked with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to secure $7 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the infrastructure for the project including roads, sewer, power, and landscaping. Federal HOME funds will be used to assist with the construction of the homes.
“I’m committed to addressing the housing crisis head on so more Wisconsinites can live, work, and raise a family in the communities they love,” said Senator Baldwin. “We need to drive down the cost to rent and buy, increase supply, and help families put down those roots. I’m proud to partner with Milwaukee County and deliver this investment for Oak Creek, breaking down barriers to homeownership and allowing more Wisconsinites to invest in their communities.”
The approximately 1,200-square-foot homes will be available for immediate homeownership and will be classified as affordable with a price point between $225,000 and $250,000. Eligible homebuyers must be at or below 80 percent in the Area Median Income (AMI) bracket. For example, that equates to approximately $80,000 in annual household income for a family of three.
A development agreement with the City of Oak Creek will be signed soon to begin construction. A request for proposals (RFP) for infrastructure work will be released this summer and construction on that will begin after a contract is awarded. Home construction will take place in 2027.
“The City of Oak Creek is honored to be partnering with Milwaukee County on this historic project. This new subdivision will offer incredible on-the-job training to Oak Creek High School students who are exploring careers in the trades, create new homeowners and a greater sense of community,” said Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz. “We are grateful for our partners and would like to thank County Executive Crowley, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, and our partners for their collaboration on this project.”
“It’s great news this innovative economic development project is taking place in Oak Creek with Milwaukee County serving as the lead developer on a project of this scale for the first time. This project will utilize the talent base of high school students on a site that has been zoned specifically for this purpose,” said Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve F. Taylor. “This subdivision will increase homeownership and result in new revenue through property taxes for the City of Oak Creek.”
“This is an important project for many reasons. We hear over and over that young people who want to become homeowners in the community where they grew up are unable to purchase a home in that community,” said James Mathy, Administrator, DHHS Housing Services. “We continue to look for opportunities to secure funding for innovative projects to address homeownership. We are looking forward to serving as the lead developer on this historic project.”
