The resources listed on this page are proud to be a part of Take Root Milwaukee, and are committed to assisting homeowners to maintain and make needed repairs on their homes. They offer extensive local expertise of the various programs and resources available.

CITY OF MILWAUKEE

The City of Milwaukee provides a variety of resources for homeowners and homebuyers, including matching grants for home repairs, forgivable loan programs and other resources. You can use the City of Milwaukee Housing Resources to find information on programs administered by the City that best match your situation. Mayor Johnson has made 2026 the Year of Housing for the City of Milwaukee, check out the webpage. Here are some programs that may be helpful:

• Strong Homes Loan Program: The STRONG Homes Loan Program offers loans of up to $25,000 to owner occupants of 1-4 family properties throughout the City of Milwaukee on a first come, first served basis. Technical assistance will be provided to homeowners under the program to assist with rehabilitation projects.
• Targeted Investment Neighborhoods (TIN): Through the TIN program, the City focuses funds and resources in a small area (6-12 blocks) for approximately three years. Homeowners and landlords in the area can use the program to make common household repairs and updates.
• Tax Incremental Districts (TID): This program provides forgivable to assist owner-occupants with repairs in a limited number of neighborhoods.
• Compliance Loan Program: The Compliance Loan Program (CLP) assists homeowners in making repairs necessary to fix code violations on their property. CLP does this by providing 0% interest, deferred payment loans. This means homeowners pay no interest and only pay back the loan when selling or transferring the property.
• Neighborhood Improvement Project (NIP): The City of Milwaukee’s Neighborhood Improvement Project (NIP) assists eligible owner occupants in repairing their homes. To be considered for NIP program eligibility, homeowners must meet the guidelines.
• Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NIDs): Milwaukee has ten Neighborhood Improvement Districts: The Brewery, Heritage Heights, Garden Homes, Harambee, Havenwoods, Lindsay Heights, Riverview, River Ridge, Sherman Park and Washington Park.
• Me² Milwaukee Energy Efficiency Program: Me² makes it easy and affordable to make energy saving upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, new heating equipment and lighting.
• Milwaukee Shines: The City of Milwaukee’s solar energy program can help you install solar panels on your home or business.

NONPROFIT RESOURCES

Community First
NIP Home Repair
(414) 377-4481 or www.cfmke.org
A nonprofit organization responsible for administering the City of Milwaukee Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP). Their services include general home repair (other programs, fee-for-fee service, etc.) and NIP (annual applications for NIP open on February 15th each year).

Housing Resources, Inc.
(414) 449-0705 or www.hri-wi.org
If you are planning a DIY project, HRI’s Tool Loan Program can lend you the tools you need to complete your project.

Milwaukee Community Crossroads
(414) 645-5350 or www.mccwi.org
Milwaukee Community Crossroads is a multi-service organization that works to build strong neighborhoods full of opportunity. We approach that work through four core areas: housing, youth development, older adults, and food security – serving over 6,400 people each year. What began with American Baptist roots providing outreach to immigrants on Milwaukee’s south side in 1921, MCC now serves youth, families, and older adults of all races, ethnicities, religions, and ages throughout the city of Milwaukee.

• Neighborhood Improvement Project: improves housing conditions for eligible low-income homeowners living in deteriorating and unsafe homes. These free services ensure that homes comply with local residential dwelling codes. Services can include roofing, siding, heating, electrical, painting and structural improvements.

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
414-316-5616 or www.milwaukeehabitat.org
At Milwaukee Habitat, we believe everyone deserves a decent place to live. In addition to building and selling new and rehabbed homes, we are now offering program options for critical repairs and lead abatement:

• Critical Home Repair assists homeowners within the service area (a map can be found on the website).The program offers a zero percent interest loan and there may be a discount of up to 80% on total project costs depending on an applicant’s income. View website or call for additional guidelines and requirements.
• Neighborhood Improvement Project (NIP) assists eligible owner occupants in repairing their homes. All repairs are based upon municipal building code violations, lead hazard reduction, health and safety concerns. NIP is not a remodeling program. To be considered for NIP program eligibility, homeowners must meet the guidelines.
• Lead Safe Homes offers free lead abatement services for homeowners in the areas where we’re building. Qualifying homeowners can have lead hazards mitigated at no cost. Household must have children or pregnant woman living in or regularly visiting the home.

Revitalize Milwaukee
(414) 312-7531 or www.revitalizemilwaukee.org
Revitalize Milwaukee offers free home repairs for income-eligible seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Revitalize Milwaukee focuses on repairs that will allow clients to remain in their home safely and independently.

NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCES

Near West Side Partners
Live Work Play Incentive supports homeowners interested in repairing and improving their residences, Near West Side Partners is offering dollar-for-dollar matching grants, up to $1000, for home repairs and improvements. Eligible homeowners must own a home in the Near West Side and occupy it as their primary residence. All repairs or improvements must address an exterior condition that can be viewed from the street -or- address an emergency repair ordered by the Department of Neighborhood Services. Property owners of all incomes are eligible.
Merrill Park TIN: 29th St. to 35th St. / Michigan St. to Park Hill Ave. Contact: 414-933-0640

Riverworks Development Corporation
(414) 906-9650 or riverworksmke.org
The Harambee Neighborhood Investment District (NID) is run by a board of elected residents. The NID assesses $50/unit per year to the property taxes of all residential properties within the NID boundaries and pools that money to fund a home repair GRANT. All property owners within the boundaries (priority given to owner-occupants) with demonstrated financial need are eligible to apply for the grant. Eligible repairs included exterior items such as roofs, siding, windows, doors, & painting and interior items such as plumbing & electrical.
Harambee Proud TIN: 1st St. to MLK Dr. / Burleigh St. to Keefe Ave. Contact: 414-906-9650

Rooted & Rising – Washington Park
Washington Park Neighborhood Investment District (NID) is a grant fund provide assistance to homeowners of single family homes and duplexes in the WP NID Area to make modest grants (e.g. $500 -$7,500 each) to homeowners in the area to make the following improvements to their
properties: energy efficiency improvements, repairs to increase water efficiency, repairs to
the structural condition of the property (including roof repairs), safety improvements
(including lighting, fencing and garages) and repairs to increase the curb appeal of property
(“Improvements”). Grants are available to homeowners one time every five years.
Washington Park North TIN: 37th St. to Sherman Park Blvd. / North Ave. to Lloyd St. Contact: 414-344-1818

Sherman Park Community Association
414-444-9803 or shermanpark.org
Sherman Park Neighborhood Improvement District(NID) assists homeowners with up to $5,000 in home improvement assistance. The Sherman Park Community Association administers the grants for the NID. The NID provides modest grants homeowners of single family homes and duplexes in the WP NID Area (e.g. $500 – $5,000 each) to make the following improvements to their properties: energy efficiency improvements, repairs to increase water efficiency, repairs to the structural condition of the property (including roof repairs), safety improvements (including lighting, fencing and garages) and repairs to increase the curb appeal of property (“Improvements”).
Roosevelt Grove TIN: 35th St. to Sherman Park Blvd. / Capitol Dr. to Keefe Ave. Contact: 414-444-9803