Milwaukee reports roughly 1,000 homeowners assisted through down-payment program; $1.2 million planned for 2025
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Summary
City staff said the Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program has helped roughly 1,000 homeowners with about $7.3 million invested since 2021; partners include ACTS Housing, Housing Resources Inc. and United Community Center, and roughly $1.2 million was appropriated for 2025.
Benjamin Sanchez of the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation briefed the committee on the Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program. Sanchez said the program — launched as a pilot in 2021 — provides down-payment and closing-cost assistance of up to $7,000 inside Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) areas and $5,000 elsewhere inside the city limits.
Sanchez reported the program helped roughly 208 homeowners in the pilot (2021–22) with about $1.3 million invested, then supported about 741 homeowners from 2022–2025 using ARPA and reallocations (about $5 million), bringing the cumulative total to roughly 1,000 homeowners and $7.3 million invested. Sanchez said the program is administered by HUD-approved counseling agencies selected through an RFP; partners include ACTS Housing, Housing Resources Inc. and the United Community Center. He said approximately $1.2 million in funds were appropriated for 2025 across funding pools.
Sanchez said nonprofit partners track occupancy and compliance consistent with federal and city funding rules and that agencies require homeowner documentation at closing.
No formal action was taken; staff said contracts are being allocated for the 2025 cycle.
