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HACM Highlights
, the latest news from the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee. Let's stay connected!
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In Memoriam: Gwen T. Jackson, A Life of Service
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The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee honors revered community leader, Gwen T. Jackson, who passed away Sunday, March 24 at the age of 90.
An incredibly keen and effective leader, Ms. Jackson was well known for her tireless commitment to serving others in Milwaukee and beyond. Ms. Jackson was also influential in helping to shape public policy, practice, and resources.
In addition to working as a human resources executive at Brill’s Colony Men’s Clothing Store, Ms. Jackson spent much of her adult life volunteering in numerous capacities. She was involved with the American Red Cross leadership at the chapter, regional, and national level. Her service with the American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin spanned over 60 years.
Ms. Jackson also spent decades volunteering for the Milwaukee County Department on Aging, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Milwaukee Urban League, YWCA, and other community organizations.
Ms. Jackson’s generous spirit will live on in the countless lives she positively impacted and for generations of volunteers to come.
“I have had a very fulfilling life and I believe it is expected of me to give back to my community,” said Ms. Jackson. “It is so much fun and I grow every day from volunteering.”
To read more about Gwen Jackson, click
here.
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HACM Receives Governor's Financial Literacy Award
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On March 21, 2019, Governor Ever’s honored the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) for its
“
Make Your Money Talk
”
(MYMT) program, a financial empowerment program that provides financial literacy training and helps HACM’s residents build wealth. HACM was among 13 organizations and individuals in Wisconsin selected by the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy to be recognized for their efforts in promoting financial literacy
.
HACM and the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative, Corp. (WWBIC) have collaborated for nearly two decades to offer the MYMT program in order to help individuals and families budget, save, and improve their overall money management skills. As of December 31, 2018, there have been 2,368 graduates from the financial empowerment series. After residents graduate from the series, they are then eligible for a match savings account, funded by HACM. This matched savings account allows residents to save money towards a house, college, starting a business, debt repayment, and vehicle repair or purchase.
The Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy is part of a pro-active approach to improving financial literacy in Wisconsin. The Council serves as a sounding board for the Office of the Governor and the Department of Financial Institutions’ Office of Financial Literacy.
Click
here
to view the list of award recipients.
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Nearly 100 Pounds of Prescriptions Drugs Collected at Take Back Events
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Prescription drug take back events at HACM's College Court and Cherry Court this week gathered nearly 100 pounds in unused and unwanted prescription medications. Events such as this are critical in keeping opiates and other prescription drugs off the streets and out of our drinking water.
Safe and Sound's 27th Street West Drug Free Coalition coordinated the event with community partners to provide residents and nearby neighbors an opportunity to dispose of these medications properly and receive resources around drug prevention and treatment in our community.
If you have prescription drugs that you want to dispose of, you can locate a nearby drop off location at
TakeBackMyMeds.com
.
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The Economic Impact of HACM's Public & Voucher-Assisted Housing
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HACM's public and voucher-assisted housing provides ongoing investment with wide-reaching returns. Investments generate multiple direct and indirect economic, environmental, and social benefits.
- HACM is a strong supporter of Emerging Business Enterprises, with over $20 million dollars in contracts supporting such organizations.
- Public and voucher-assisted housing are workforce housing, providing an opportunity for people to live in stable housing near employment centers. Without this type of housing available, low wage works would need to work 86 hours each week to be able to rent the average market-rate apartment in Milwaukee.
- HACM's public and voucher-assisted housing units are a significant investment by the federal government, bringing back $57 million in federal taxpayer dollars annually to our community.
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S&P Affirms HACM'S A+ Credit Rating
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Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings (S&P) has affirmed its A+ issuer credit rating for HACM. The rating reflects S&P's view of HACM's strengths, which include its:
- Experienced management team
- Strong financial profile, bolstered by strong debt and liquidity profiles
- High asset quality housing portfolio, which consists of affordable housing, senior and disabled housing, market rate housing, and housing choice vouchers
HACM, a key provider and developer of low-income housing in Milwaukee, is only one of eight public housing authorities in the country to receive an A+ rating.
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Book on Latina Activism in Wisconsin Features HACM’s Maria Rodriguez
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During 2018, HACM’s own Maria Rodriguez was featured in the book,
“Somos Latinas, Voices of Wisconsin Latina Activists,”
authored by Andrea-Teresa Arenas and Eloisa Gómez. The book shares the powerful narratives of twenty-five Wisconsin Latina activists who have worked for community change. Maria’s section begins with her activism after high school as part of the Latin American Union for Civil Rights and their bilingual/bicultural program, involvement with the national organization La Raza Unida, being selected as a delegate to the United Nations Conference on Women in Mexico City in 1975, and forming the local groups Latina Task Force in the 1980s and Latinas en Accción, a specific fund under the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee in the 2000’s. Somos Latinas was recently ranked in the top ten best-sellers for paperback nonfiction for calendar 2018 by Boswell Books.
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HACM’s David Flores Honored as Icon of Construction
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The Daily Reporter recently recognized HACM’s David Flores as an Icon of Construction for his impact on the construction industry during his career. David is an administrative professional who has been providing “behind the scenes” support for the HACM’s major construction projects for 25 years. His knowledge and commitment to excellence have supported over $200 million of affordable residential construction in Milwaukee. David has worked on several award-winning, multi-family developments and is a major part of the Westlawn Gardens redevelopment. He has a unique set of skills that allows him to navigate through complex federal regulations involved with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit financed construction projects.
In addition to being an excellent construction administrator, David also contributes to the community through his longtime involvement with the arts. David is an accomplished actor, writer, and director with many local productions. He sits on the Milwaukee Arts Board and contributes to many efforts to make Milwaukee a better place to live.
HACM thanks to David for his years of public service and commitment to providing high-quality, affordable housing.
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Choice Neighborhood Business Resources
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The Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) offers unique resources to help businesses, including those that are home-based, grow in and around the Westlawn Gardens neighborhood. The resources include a revolving loan fund for start-up and existing businesses that provides up to $250,000 for start-up capital, inventory and equipment, business expansion, working capital and business support. CNI also offers grants to help businesses improve building exteriors and landscaping. The program offers up to 80% in reimbursements for eligible revitalization costs. Learn more by visiting
www.mke-cni.org
or contacting Paul Williams at 414-286-8267 or
paul.williams@hacm.org
.
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Vote for MANDI's People's Choice Award
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To learn more about the multi-sport complex, click
here
.
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HACM Receives Family Self-Sufficiency Grant From HUD
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The US Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded HACM a $138,000+ Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program grant, which will enable HACM to continue administering the program. Since 2004, HACM has offered the program to its housing choice voucher participants and public housing residents.
The FSS program helps families to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on rental subsidies by committing to a 5-year plan for self-sufficiency. Increases in rent due to increases in earned income are placed into an escrow account to benefit the family at the completion of the plan. In addition to building financial assets, participants also identify and pursue educational, professional, and personal goals with the assistance of a HACM service coordinator and community partners.
Click
here
to learn more about the program.
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Voter Information for April 2nd Election
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Did you know there will be a spring election in Wisconsin on Tuesday, April 2nd? Join the rest of the Milwaukee community and make your voice heard at the ballot box.
The election includes important offices for Wisconsin Supreme Court, Circuit Court, Municipal Court, and Milwaukee Public Schools Board of Directors.
Voter checklist:
- Make sure you have the right documents to vote, including a photo ID. Visit Bring It To The Ballot to find out what you need and how to get it.
- Enter your address here to find your polling place to vote on April 2nd and view a sample ballot.
- If you have moved recently, you can update your registration at your polling place on election day or at any early voting site.
- Research the candidates. Online news sites like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel have information about the candidates.
Vote on April 2nd (7:00 am - 8:00 pm)
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HACM History: Veterans Housing Through the Years
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In 1948, Milwaukee voters approved a referendum to allow bonds to finance construction of permanent veterans housing to help house the soldiers returning from World War II and the families of those who did not return. From 1948 to 1950, HACM built three developments, with a preference for housing given to veterans and their survivors: Northlawn (247 units), Southlawn (330 units) and Berryland (391 units). While the majority of residents today are not veterans, these developments still serve as affordable housing for working families.
In 2005, HACM helped to restore the historic Surgeon’s Quarters building on Milwaukee's Veteran Affairs grounds to provide housing and supportive services for homeless or disabled veterans through partnerships with Milwaukee Veteran Affairs Regional Office and Hope House.
For several years, HACM has provided the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers to homeless veterans. The vouchers currently support 291 veterans in the Milwaukee area.
HACM recently completed Victory Manor, a 60-unit veteran’s preference housing development at Westlawn Gardens. On-site supportive services will be provided through partnerships with the Center for Veterans Issues and other community organizations. Services will include case management, counseling (alcohol and other drug abuse, life skills and mental health), education, training and employment assistance, benefits assistance, temporary financial assistance, peer-to-peer counseling, referrals, and on-site recreational activities to compliment the services available at the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center.
The Alexander Company and HACM are leading a team that has been chosen to restore and rehabilitate six vacant buildings in the Milwaukee VA Soldiers Home Historic District. Upon completion in 2020, there will be a total of 101 housing units with supportive services for veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
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HACM is currently hiring for the following positions:
- Maintenance Specialist - Developments
- Housing Manager
- Bilingual (Spanish) Housing Manager
- Temporary Bilingual (Spanish) Administrative Specialist
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The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee is to foster strong, resilient, and inclusive communities by providing a continuum of high-quality housing options that support self-sufficiency, good quality of life, and the opportunity to thrive.
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Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
www.hacm.org
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