Annual Report 2019

Posted on January 27, 2020

Since our founding in 1984, Milwaukee Habitat has helped 1296 families build strength, stability and independence for themselves and their children. In 2019 Milwaukee Habitat served 195 families through affordable home ownership, affordable home repair, and neighborhood cleanups. Milwaukee Habitat Homeowners save $36,000 on average over a 30 year fixed mortgage compared to the average market rate.
At the age of 19, Kemonie was the youngest applicant ever accepted into Milwaukee Habitat’s affordable home ownership program. After enrolling in the GPS apprenticeship program in high school, Kemonie was able to secure a steady job upon graduation. Wanting a place of his own, a mentor recommended Habitat homeownership. Thanks to support from Kohl’s and the Presbyterian Coalition, he found out that he’d be able to build a brand new home for less than what he’d pay in rent. He’s now taking the same foresight and hard work that helped him land a steady job and applying it to building equity in a home of his own. - Moved in November 2019

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.

However, 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 safe, decent and affordable housing provides. Instead, 1 in 3 families are forced to make impossible choices.

Safe homes. Nutritious food on the table. Health care. Access to good schools. Reliable transportation. Which would you choose?

Habitat for Humanity knows the complexities that surround the cost of home. We also know the struggle, stress and pain of far too many families in our communities. And we know that those with the fewest resources are forced to make the hardest choices. 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.

Last year, Milwaukee Habitat homeowners spent an average of 24% less on brand new and fully rehabbed homes compared to what they’d been paying to rent.

We’re also helping residents who are struggling to afford critical repairs. Whether it’s a leaking roof that’s causing mold damage or a hazardous electrical problem, our Critical Home Repair program is helping homeowners stay in their homes.

But Milwaukee Habitat is impacting more than just one family at time. By focusing our work in target areas, we bring families, our community and the city together to revitalize neighborhoods.

With such a substantial need for affordable housing in our city, we cannot do this alone. With your help, we’ll work to make the cost of home something we all can afford. Thank you for your support.

Homeowers spent an average of 24% less on housing compared to what they’d been paying to rent. The average Milwaukee Habitat Homeowner saves $36,000 over a 30 year fixed mortgage compared to the average market rate with a 620 credit score. In 2018 families in Milwaukee Habitat’s Critical Home Repair program saved 42% on repairs like roofing, plumbing and electrical which would have cost nearly twice as much on the open market.
25% increase in assessed home values on blocks where we built in the Washington Park neighborhood from 2013-2017. By comparison, the City of Milwaukee increased 1.9% in that same time. In 2018 Milwaukee Habitat Homeowers paid $825,000 in property taxes which funded local schools, roads and municipal jobs. “Milwaukee Habitat gave me more than just a home, it gave me financial peace of mind.” - Latasha, Milwaukee Habitat Homeowner Every time Milwaukee Habitat purchases a vacant lot or foreclosed home from the City of Milwaukee, we save taxpayers in general maintenance, hazard remediation and demolition costs. $2000 per year | per vacant lot $3500 per year | per foreclosed home
Milwaukee Habitat utilizes 10% of its unrestricted funds to build safe, affordable homes in developing countries. In 2019 we partnered with Habitat for Humanity affiliates in El Salvador, Thailand and Zambia. $3.15 million tithed to our global partners since 1984 $228,493 tithed to our global partners in 2019 2293 families served globally by home and development projects 1st trip 2019 saw a group from Milwaukee Habitat travel to Zambia for the first time to help build safe, stable homes Travel with us! milwaukeehabitat.org/tithe In Zambia, funds are used to not only build homes, but install safe water points, providing thousands with access to clean water.
In 2019, more than 3400 individuals volunteered on our build sites, with our ReStores, and in our offices. Of those 3400 is a core group of 229 “Habitual” volunteers who give their time on a monthly or weekly basis. 80,000+ volunteer hours completed in 2019 Grace Morgan Volunteer of the Year Award: Bill Willkomm’s contributions to Milwaukee Habitat spans build sites, deconstruction projects, and the ReStore. What defines Bill is not just the work he does or the things he builds, but the human touch he brings. Bill recognizes that empowering someone to accomplish a task is a more profound act than simply accomplishing it by one’s self. Each year we recognize exceptional volunteers throughout our organization at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. These individuals have gone above and beyond to further our mission to build homes, communities and hope. Thank you! Top Row (L to R): Ray Brandt (Golden Hammer), Bill Willkomm (Grace Morgan Volunteer of the Year), Patti Sawyer (ReStore Wauwatosa), Jim Vallicelli (ReStore Greenfield), Ken Gear (Deconstruction) Bottom Row (L to R): Julia Savich representing Milwaukee Tool (Corporate Citizen), Joshua Keller (ReStore Walker’s Point), Cindy Gear (Deconstruction)
Bob Patton was honored for his 20 years of service at 2019’s Framing the Future Gala
$3 million salvaged On the seven year anniversary of their first project (12/12/19), ReStore’s Deconstruction Services team eclipsed $3 million in priced product salvaged from homes and buildings.
Habitat ReStores are nonprofit resale stores and donation centers whose proceeds helped build 10 homes in Milwaukee and 8 homes internationally in 2019. Donations of furniture, appliances, cabinetry and more are sold to the public at ReStore locations in Wauwatosa, Walker’s Point and Greenfield. $2.56 million+ sales by Milwaukee’s three ReStores in 2019 7.7 million pounds of reusable materials diverted from local landfills in 2019 16,781 donations made to our ReStores from individuals and businesses in 2019 $670,800 priced value of materials salvaged by ReStore’s Deconstruction Services in 2019 124 properties, 13 commercial and 111 residential, serviced by Deconstruction in 2019
Ever wonder what a ReStore volunteer does? Watch this spotlight about Wauwatosa ReStore volunteer, Andy. We need more volunteers like Andy! Find out more.
Accunet Mortgage sponsored a new construction home for the third consecutive year and offered a challenge match at our Framing the Future Gala. Additionally, when the company celebrated its 20th Anniversary, they encouraged clients and event attendees to donate $20 to Milwaukee Habitat, raising another $7,000! Accunet employees volunteered more than 200 hours building in Midtown. Milwaukee Habitat was the beneficiary of the Family of Four Parishes annual Lenten Almsgiving Project. Old St. Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, Saints Peter & Paul, and Three Holy Women raised funds to build a home in memory of Habitat volunteer and Old Saint Mary parishioner Mike Moran. 88 volunteers contributed 2,200 hours on the home. Komatsu has an outstanding and exemplary record of philanthropic leadership. Our partnership began in 2011 and has reached over $1.7 million. Komatsu raised $200,000 thanks to a successful employee giving campaign and generous company match. Milwaukee Habitat is also the beneficiary of the company’s annual supplier golf tournament. 119 employees volunteered more than 1,200 hours to build their 22nd and 23rd homes in Milwaukee. MGIC has been supporting Milwaukee Habitat for 22 years. Since 2015, the company has grown its annual giving by a remarkable 1600%. They sponsored a new Habitat home and our annual Gala. 73 MGIC employees shared their time and talents volunteering 750 hours on the build site.
Milwaukee Tool donated tools valued over $53,000 through local and national channels. These high quality tools allow our build sites to run safer and efficiently during all phases of construction. In addition, the company ranks among our most faithful volunteer groups – 76 employees volunteered 463 hours building new homes in Midtown. Sargento was our first corporate sponsor 27 years ago. When we launched Midtown 100 in 2018, Sargento was the first company to invest. Sargento‘s impact is transformative. Through their financial support and volunteerism, they have built 30 new Habitat homes for first-time home buyers. 41 employees volunteered more than 900 hours, bringing the company’s volunteer support to 15,500 hours since 1992. Thrivent Financial and Milwaukee Habitat share a vision to put God’s love into action. The Faith Build enhances that work: we partner with Thrivent and area churches to build homes, communities, and hope. Through Thrivent Builds, Thrivent Repairs, and now the Faith Build, our partnership has made a significant impact on families in Milwaukee. Thrivent’s commitment to our affiliate tops $3.1M since 2001, the most of any corporate partner. The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation kicked off year two of our Midtown 100 initiative with a $200,000 grant to build and rehab homes, complete critical home repairs, and to support non-Habitat homeowners at risk of foreclosure. The bank also sponsored our Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Weekend and funded a sustainable community plan in Midtown. A new neighborhood association, the Midtown Alliance, was borne out of these efforts. Zurn Industries, A Rexnord Company, is our newest house sponsor, contributing $75,000 to help transform blocks of empty lots in the Midtown neighborhood into the highest concentration of affordable, single-family homes built in Milwaukee since WWII. 29 employees volunteered nearly 250 hours in the neighborhood. The company also donated Zurn® brand plumbing products for the Habitat headquarters.
Through their Faith Build, Thrivent is helping future homeowners Bler and Ku Wah build a stable home for their family. They, like hundreds of thousands in the region, fled war and persecution in their home county of Myanmar. Before being granted access to the United States they spent years enduring harsh living conditions in Thai refugee camps. With help from Habitat, the couple is able to afford to build a home they can call their own once again. After years of instability they’ll soon be able to provide a safe, stable place where their two young children can grow up. - Began Construction August 2019
ryan braun matched a significant donation from Brewers Community Foundation to sponsor a Habitat home in 2019. He joined future homeowner, Gchiann, on the build site to help build the first walls.
Imagine living with a broken water heater, heating up water on the stove anytime you needed warm water. That was the reality for Kendell and his family at their previous rental for nearly a year. With support from Komatsu, Kendell and his uncle Brown teamed up to build a safe, affordable Habitat home. Kendell proposed to Brown, who’s legally blind, that they buy a home together. Kendell is able to assist Brown with daily activities, while their combined incomes made it affordable to build a place where Kendell’s son Keanu could truly call home. “I want you to know that you all are making dreams come true,” says Kendell. - Moved In June 2019
Watch as Kendell’s son Keanu see’s his new bedroom for the first time.
The 2019 Framing the Future Gala, presented by BMO Harris, was a record-setting success. Over 420 attendees raised $372,000 to help local families build strength, stability and independence. We proudly honored Bob Patton for 30 years of servant leadership with Milwaukee Habitat. Thank you to our event chairs, Bill & Marian Nasgovitz, to Accunet Mortgage for a generous challenge match, our MC Portia Young, and to all our sponsors, table hosts, and guests.
In 2019 the Presbyterian Coalition, led by Bob Patton, began construction on the 20th home sponsored by the group. We’re grateful to have the support of faith communities throughout the area including Family of Four Catholic Parishes, Thrivent Faith Build and the Church Coalition. 146 families benefited from six Rock the Block events in five different neighborhoods in 2019. Through landscaping and neighborhood cleanup, groups from Northwestern Mutual, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Bader Philanthropies, GMAR and Thrivent worked alongside residents to beautify entire blocks at a time. 2019 closed with the exciting announcement that Milwaukee Habitat will launch our next neighborhood revitalization project in the Harambee neighborhood in 2020. The expansion into Harambee is thanks, in part, to a $1 million grant from Bader Philanthropies, funding new and repaired homes.
Board of Directors David Feiss - President Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 46 Rob Myers - Vice President Mortenson Construction Craig Hahn - Treasurer Community Volunteer Steve Everett - Secretary Timber Creek Resource Berthena Brister Froedtert Health Andrea Golvach Briggs & Stratton Julie Lee Foley & Lardner LLP Mike McIntyre Community Volunteer Audrey Morrow US Bank Corrie Prunuske Johnson Controls Kelly Seaman First Weber, Inc. Brie Skolaski Red Arrow Labs Cecilia Smith-Robertson All Saints Catholic Church Dan Sweeney Wells Fargo Brian Wickert Accunet Mortgage

THANK YOU!
Milwaukee Habitat extends its deep gratitude to the following individuals, churches, corporations, foundations and other organizations making donations of $1,000 and above.*

$100,000+
 Charles D. & Elenore P. Ashley Foundation
Friendship House
Komatsu
Project Reinvest
Sargento Foods
Thrivent
Wells Fargo Housing Foundation

$20,000+
 3 Anonymous
The Harley-Davidson Foundation
Marsha Ernst Krueger Charitable Fund through Greater Milwaukee Foundation
David & Susan Ogden
Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust
Stormy Hill Foundation
We Energies Foundation

$5,000+
 3 Anonymous
Altra Industrial Motion ‡
Anon Charitable Trust
Bader Philanthropies
Lois Bernard
William & Barbara Boles
Cole Family Charities
Ellamae Siebert Foundation
Jerold & Nancy Fennell
Fiserv
Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Linda J Diedrich Designated Fund
The Estate of Ruth Hart
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation
Jerome J. & Dorothy H. Holz Family Foundation
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
The Kroger Co. Foundation
Bill & Christie Krugler
Kuehl Family Foundation
Yvonne Manning
The Master Lock Co.
Medical Society of Milwaukee
Julie Mickelson
Sandra Molenda
Paul & Kathy Oman
Presbytery of Milwaukee
Ralph Evinrude Foundation
Scot Forge ‡
Shorewest Realtors – Downtown
Saints Peter & Paul Parish
Stackner Family Foundation
David & Joan Totten
United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay
WaterStone Bank
Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church
James & Marieke Westerman

$1,000+
 4 Anonymous
Joan & Richard Abdoo
Helmut & Sandra Ammon
Anixter ‡
George & Julianne Archibald
AT&T Wisconsin
John & Jenny Augustine
Badger Meter Foundation
Bensdorf & Abramson ‡
Eric Berg
Fred & Karen Bersch
Leah & Ray Brandt
Douglas & Barb Braun
The Brookby Foundation
Bryan Browning
Larry Burnett & Mary Foley
Karl & Nancy Byleen
Diane Carr
Tina Chang
Tom Chiapusio
Circle Metal Specialties ‡
City of Milwaukee – Community Development Grants Administration
Common Links Construction
Andrew DeGuire & Nikki Sohm DeGuire
Dixie & Rick Deines
Robert & Lainie DeJong
Victor & Jean Delisle
Divine Mercy Congregation
Wolfgang & Barbara Dorner
Dorothy Inbusch Foundation
James & Doris Durdan
Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation
Steve Everett, Jr. & Pennie Everett
George & Jill Fahr
Falk Ruvin Real Estate
Karlene Fox
Gardner & Karen Friedlander
Eoin & Megan Gorman
Daniel & Margot Griesbach
Charles & Theresa Griesel
Halvorsen Boiler & Engineering Co. ‡
Jason & April Hansen
Helms-Doyle Charitable Fund
Andy Heuer & Pairin Hongsoongnern
Marianne Hondel
John & Susan Hrobar
John Huebner
Huntington National Bank ‡
Hupy and Abraham
IBM
Inlanta Mortgage
Jack & Lucy Rosenberg Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation
Kathleen Jacobson
JADCO Manufacturing ‡
Nancy Jaeger
Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls Charity Trust Account
Joe Juknialis
Jane & Thomas Kammerait
Daniel Karrels
Ted & Mary Kellner
Donald Kerber
Daniel & Nancy Kiernan
Mike & Maureen Klein
Kohl’s Cares
Kolaga Family Charitable Trust
Terry & Kristie Kurtenbach
Doug & Barb Lackey
Mary Lacy
Lakefront Title
Dr. David & Lisa Lautz
The Len & Pat Quadracci Family Fund
Evan Lenhardt & Ginny Finn-Lenhardt
William & Patricia Lucke
Linda Madisen
Mainman Charitable Fund at Schwab
Margery Holley Uihlein Fund through the American Endowment Foundation
Rose Mary & Francis Matusinec
Daniel & Ada McAdams
Mike & Carol McIntyre
Michael & JoAnn Culp Youngman Charitable Fund
Maureen Michaels
Matthew & Jodi Moioffer
Alexander Montezon
Scott & Marjorie Moon
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius ‡
Mortenson Construction
Rob & Olivia Myers
Nelson Charitable Fund at Schwab Charitable
New Berlin Lions Club
Jodi Nienkerk
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart ‡
Peter & Linda Hotz Charitable Fund
Trent & Joell Poole
Anthony & Jean Reis
Marc Riewer
Gerald Rincher ‡
Amy Scott
Kelly & John Seaman
Cindy Shaffer
Shorewest Realtors
Todd & Meggan Snodgrass
St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Parish
James & Rosalind Stanke
Florence Steinberger & Andrew Feiring
SVA Plumb Financial
Mark & Christina Toth
Town Bank
Trinity Episcopal Church
Jim & Jean Ellen Trubshaw
Two Men and a Truck
Greg & Ann Van Dunk
Eric & Wendy Van Vugt
Voelz-Neall Charitable Fund
Janet & Raymond Vredenbregt
Seth & Rebecca Wahlberg
Ronald & Diana Waterman
Wauwatosa Rotary Foundation
Jeremy & Sara Wesemann
Wilbert & Genevieve Schauer Foundation
Willis Towers Watson ‡
WTMJ – AM
Nancy Zabriskie
Judith Zetting

‡ Komatsu Supplier Golf Tournament

  • Reflects donations from July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019. All effort has been made to ensure accuracy. We apologize for errors or omissions. Contact Andy Heuer, Development Director, 414-316-8695, aheuer@milwaukeehabitat.org

$75,000+
 Zurn, A Rexnord Company

$50,000+
 Brewers Community Foundation
Brian & Rebekah Wickert Family Foundation, a Donor Advised Fund of the U.S. Charitable Gift Trust
Frieda & William Hunt Memorial Trust
Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Diane Pellegrin Fund
MGIC
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
William & Marian Nasgovitz

$10,000+
 Associated Bank
Judith Berka-Dannenbrink
BMO Harris
Bladen & Julia Burns
Charles D. Jacobus Family Foundation
Crossroads Presbyterian Church
DIGICORP
Eaton
First Weber Group Foundation
Gladys E. Gores Charitable Foundation
GMAR – Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors
Habitat 500 – Friends of Donna Kummer
Home Depot Foundation
Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation
Johnson Controls Foundation
Lieselott Buettner Trust Estate
Betty Moran
Trainer Family Foundation
Travelers
U.S. Bank Foundation
Union Pacific Foundation
UPS Foundation
Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church

$2,500+
 A.M. Castle & Co. ‡
Accurate Metal Products ‡
Francisco Aguilar & Betty Ross Aguilar
Albert J. & Flora H. Ellinger Foundation
American Roller Bearing Co. ‡
American Tank & Fabricating ‡
Andaloro, Smith & Krueger
Aqua Foundation
Baird
Ken & Marti Berg
Bloomberg
Dave & Susan Bohl
Brookfield Congregational UCC
Christ King Catholic Parish
Conductix Wampfler ‡
CoreLogic Solutions
Engman-Taylor Co. ‡
Erie Insurance
David Feiss & Patti Hanz
FIS
FRISA ‡
Cindy & Ken Gear
Louis & Michele Gentine
Carl Gobel
Andrea Golvach
Clark & Priscilla Higgins
Bill & Lois Hoover
Industrial Maintenance Welding & Machining Co. ‡
Kloeckner Metals Corp. ‡
Carol & Milton Kuyers
LB Steel ‡
George Loxton & Sherry Postma Loxton
Terry & Liz Lynch
Mardi Madisen
Matric Group ‡
Michael Best & Friedrich ‡
Ernest & Kia Nicolas
Nucor ‡
Paul & Kristen Ouweneel
Ovention
Overton Chicago Gear ‡
Park Bank Foundation
Parker Hannifin Corp. ‡
PCC ‡
Peck Foundation, Milwaukee LTD
Powers Realty Group
PPC Foundation
Product Service & Manufacturing ‡
Corrie & David Prunuske
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren ‡
Rose & deJong
Michael & Barbara Schulte
Sivyer Steel Corp. ‡
SKF USA ‡
Southwestern Manufacturing ‡
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
St. James Catholic Church
Three Holy Women Catholic Parish
The Timken Co. ‡
UPS
Wangard Partners
Weiss Family Foundation
Weldall Manufacturing ‡
Wells Fargo Government & Community Relations Group
David Wick
Womack Machine Supply Co. ‡

Thank you to donors who supported our mission via
contributions to the following:
AT&T United Way Employee Giving Campaign
Benevity Community Impact Fund
The Church Coalition
Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee
Facebook Charitable Giving
Family of Four Parishes Lenten Almsgiving Project
GE Foundation Matching Gifts Program
GE United Way Campaign
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Habitat for Humanity – Cars for Homes
J.P. Morgan Chase Employee Giving Campaign
Komatsu Employee Giving Campaign
The Presbyterian Church Coalition
Paypal Giving Fund
Thrivent Choice
Thrivent Faith Build
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
United Way of Metro Chicago

In-Kind:
 A.O. Smith
Broan
Corporation for National & Community Service – AmeriCorps
Eaton
Foley & Lardner LLP
Johnson Controls
Kohler
Lannon Stone Products
Milwaukee Tool
Nest Labs
Quarles & Brady
Schneider
Valspar
Whirlpool