MILWAUKEE –
Today I and Co-Sponors Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, Caroline Gomez-Tom, Kathleen Vincent, Shawn Rolland, Anne O’Connor, Felisia A. Martin, Juan Miguel Martinez, Justin Bielinski, Priscila Coggs-Jones, Sequanna Taylor (5), Sky Z. Capriolo, Willie Johnson, Jr. and Steven Shea passed a resolution in support of a groundbreaking partnership between Milwaukee County and CityWise, a Milwaukee-based startup committed to advancing equitable housing solutions.
The partnership will pave the way for the development of an affordable housing marketplace—a first-of-its-kind online platform aimed at promoting equity, transparency, and accessibility for renters throughout Milwaukee County.
The proposed platform will help residents easily search for affordable housing options, better understand eligibility criteria, and connect with available resources—supporting Milwaukee County’s broader goals around housing equity and stability.
CityWise brings a community-focused approach to tech development, aligning with the County’s mission to dismantle barriers and deliver services in a more inclusive and efficient way.
The online marketplace will feature property listings that disclose any known municipal code violations, ensuring greater transparency for renters. It will also provide critical resources for unhoused residents.
To promote accountability, landlords with pending litigation involving any municipality in Milwaukee County or a documented pattern of evictions will be prohibited from listing their properties.
Additionally, landlords offering subsidized housing or managing fewer than 20 units will be able to use the platform at no cost.
Key Features of the Affordable Housing Marketplace:
Transparency: Listings will include any known municipal code violations, allowing renters to make informed decisions.
Accountability: Landlords involved in ongoing litigation with Milwaukee County or those with a documented pattern of evictions will be prohibited from listing properties.
Affordability: Landlords offering subsidized housing or managing fewer than 20 units will be able to list at no cost.
Supportive Services: The platform will also connect users with resources for unhoused individuals, including an interactive map of available warming rooms during winter months.
This initiative comes at a critical time, as Milwaukee continues to face one of the most constrained rental markets in the nation. Since 2020, average rents in the county have surged by over 40%, with occupancy rates consistently exceeding 94%. For many residents, these conditions have significantly reduced housing options and heightened economic vulnerability.
Thank you to every colleague who voted to support this project, and especially to Co-Sponsors Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, Caroline Gomez-Tom, Kathleen Vincent, Shawn Rolland, Anne O’Connor, Felisia A. Martin, Juan Miguel Martinez, Justin Bielinski, Priscila Coggs-Jones, Sequanna Taylor (5), Sky Z. Capriolo, Willie Johnson, Jr. and Steven Shea.
