Number
251449
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
250001
Sponsor
ALD. BURGELIS
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of City Development to study the feasibility of creating an Employee Down Payment Assistance Program.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of City Development to study the feasibility of creating an Employee Down Payment Assistance Program for City employees and to report the findings of this study to the Common Council within 60 days.
Body
Whereas, Milwaukee residents and neighborhoods benefit from the presence of City employees living in their communities; and
Whereas, The City’s tax base also benefits from City employees driving demand for housing in the City, and
Whereas, Unfortunately, since the City’s residency requirement was lifted several years ago, the percentage of City employees living in Milwaukee has steadily declined; and
Whereas, Milwaukee and the nation as a whole are currently experiencing a housing affordability crisis; and
Whereas, Many City of Milwaukee employees, especially those seeking to buy their first homes, are suffering the effects of this housing crisis; and
Whereas, The Department of City Development administers the Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program, which was established in 2021 to provide grants to eligible first-time homebuyers; and
Whereas, In 2024 alone, the Down Payment Assistance Program provided over 300 grants, totaling over $1.9 million in assistance, to first-time homebuyers,; and
Whereas, Creation of a similar down payment assistance program aimed at City employees could mitigate the effects of the housing affordability crisis on City employees, enabling them to purchase their first homes in the City and strengthening Milwaukee neighborhoods and the City’s tax base; and
Whereas, The 2026 Budget was adopted by Common Council File Number 250001 on November 7, 2025; and
Whereas, Amendment 21 placed a footnote in the 2026 Budget directing the Department of City Development to study the feasibility of creating a Down Payment Assistance Program for City employees; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of City Development is directed to study the feasibility of creating a Down Payment Assistance Program for City employees; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of City Development shall collect and evaluate comparable programs, benefits, or incentives offered by peer municipalities and public-sector employers to support employee homeownership, recruitment, and retention; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of City Development shall communicate the findings of this study to the Common Council within 60 days of adoption of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB181227-2
Jeff Osterman
Kathleen Brengosz
February 2, 2026