Meet Deana
"I am a builder, I am a restorer, and I am an owner...
of my future, my dreams, my gifts and talents, and
my home."
Deana moved into her Habitat home in the summer of 2025.
Milwaukee Habitat's Building Hope Campaign will ensure that more families have the opportunity to become homeowners, just like Deana.
Our $35 Million Campaign
The first goal of our $35 Million Campaign is to provide the initial capacity to produce 60 homes by 2028, also known as $6M in catalyst funding. The second goal is to provide the sustainability to continue that level of production on an annual basis. The chart shows the campaign funds alongside our other revenue streams that will support this growth.
In parallel to the catalyst funding, we are increasing our fundraising from $4 million annually to $7 million annually by 2030. Increasing to this level will make it possible to continue the production of 60 homes a year. Every gift to Milwaukee Habitat moves us closer to our goal.
Gifts to the campaign can be made over multiple years and can be counted toward home sponsorship, events, or special appeals that you already support.
What Does Catalyst Funding Provide For?
Budget Breakdown of $6M Catalyst Funding
$2,500,000—Construction Hard Costs
Materials, sub-contractors to scale home building to 60 homes a year by 2028
$2,500,000—Increased Staffing
Construction and family services staff increases to build 60 homes a year and qualify 60 families for homeownership a year
$500,000—Capital Investments
Fleet, telehandlers, forklifts, tools, warehouse, garage, and storage improvements
$500,000—Homebuyer Assistance
Pool of funds to cover cost increases to homebuyers (e.g. interest rate increases, down payment requirements)
With $6M in catalyst funding, we will build 150 homes by 2028
With $6M in catalyst funding, we will build 150 homes by 2028
We will become a top 5 producing Habitat affiliate in the country
Where Does Habitat Fit?
The Housing Continuum
How is Milwaukee Habitat different?
Milwaukee Habitat is the only organization in the city poised to take on the need for new affordable homeownership opportunities. We are the only home builder in the metro area building to scale in the inner city.
We bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. We take a bipartisan approach to our partnerships with the city, county, and state. We have the organizational infrastructure in place to build the homes. We have a dedicated volunteer base, and we have unique partnerships with lenders that help keep mortgages affordable, down payments minimal, and closing costs low.
Who does Milwaukee Habitat partner with?
Milwaukee Habitat is a member of the Community Development Alliance. We also partner with housing providers (Acts Housing, home buying counseling agencies), community agencies (Milwaukee Community Land Trust, neighborhood organizations), advocacy organizations (United Way, Take Root Milwaukee), and private lenders to ensure the lowest possible mortgage rates for our homebuyers.
Who Do We Serve?
Meet Kweku
When Kweku was 12 years old, his parents purchased their Milwaukee Habitat home, and that was the first time he felt that they were stable.
Kweku graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a degree in education. He is now the Executive Director at Employment Resources, Inc., and was recently named to the Milwaukee Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list. He feels that Habitat creates opportunities for families to buy affordable, “forever” homes.
Meet more Habitat families
Help us build 60 homes a year. Contact Director of Philanthropy, Kelly Schlicht kschlicht@milwaukeehabitat.org