The Issue: Housing Affordability
Families in Milwaukee and all across the United States are paying too high a price to cover the cost of their home. Rents and homeownership costs are skyrocketing, while wages are not keeping pace. Far too often, families struggle to make ends meet. At Habitat for Humanity, we know that a family should never have to spend more than 30 percent of their income on a home.
Growing Up Habitat
Watch: Kweku’s parents purchased his family’s Milwaukee Habitat home when he was in middle school. Now 17 years later, he’s reflecting on the impact Habitat homeownership had on his life.
1 in 3 Milwaukee renters pay half or more of their income on housing
That means that 1 in 3 families are denied the personal and economic stability that decent and affordable housing provides.
This makes it difficult to save money for the future, emergencies, or a home. In fact, 92% of renters average just $1500 in savings, making a down payment on their first home nearly impossible.
Housing Equity
We know the complexities that surround the cost of home. Families have suffered from redlining, racial inequality and the housing disparities that follow. In the four-county metro Milwaukee area nearly three out of four Black families do not own the home they live in, while nearly three out of four white families do. We have to take a stand and declare our commitment: No family should have to pay more than half of their paycheck to cover the cost of home.
In 2023, Milwaukee Habitat set an ambitious goal to serve twice as many families by 2028 - aiming to build 40 homes and complete 80-100 critical home repair projects annually.
In 2024, Milwaukee Habitat plans to:
- build 32 New Construction Homes for first-time home buyers
- complete 65-75 Critical Home Repair Projects for existing homeowners
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