MILWAUKEE— Five Milwaukee families now have a place to call home, thanks to the partnership aimed at making homeownership permanently affordable.
On Monday, the Milwaukee Community Land Trust (MCLT) celebrated the completion of five fully rehabbed homes on the city’s south side. The homes– once vacant and city owned– were renovated through the Homes MKE initiative in collaboration with nonprofit One5Olive and the City of Milwaukee.
The homes were made permanently affordable using the community land trust model, which allows families to build equity while ensuring future affordability through a long-term ground lease.
Lamont Davis, Executive Director of MCLT, says the program is more than real estate.
“It feels phenomenal when we’re working with people and they’re new homeowners, new stakeholders in the community, new anchors to the neighborhood,” said Lamont Davis, executive director of the Milwaukee Community Land Trust.
“In essence, we are the developer that doesn’t go away. We’re there for them every day.”
One of those new homeowners is Jeannette Torres, a Milwaukee mother whose dream of owning a home has finally come true after nearly 20 years.
“I’ve always dreamed of being a homeowner,” she said. “Now I can do that — and my children have a place they’re happy with, they’re comfortable in, and it’s close to everything.”
Torres, who spent her childhood walking up and down Mitchell Street, says moving into the neighborhood brings a strong sense of familiarity and pride — not just for her, but for her kids as well.
“This brings housing stability to the Black and Brown community,” she said. “It’s bringing us all together. My kids feel a sense of community, and they’re around people who look like them.”
The homes were made permanently affordable through a shared equity model supported by federal ARPA funding, local foundations, and construction financing from Northwestern Mutual. The project is part of the Homes MKE initiative, aimed at revitalizing Milwaukee’s housing stock by turning vacant city-owned properties into livable, long-term housing options.
Every family who purchases through the land trust signs a 99-year ground lease — allowing them to build wealth while preserving affordability for future generations.
The event on South 11th Street drew several city leaders, including Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Common Council President José Pérez, who praised the collaboration between public and private partners.
