Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) executive director Antonio Riley this week joined Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and community leaders including representatives from the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) and United Community Center (UCC) to take part in the grand opening ceremony for Olga Village, a 37-unit housing development for low-income seniors on Milwaukee’s south side.
Since 2009, WHEDA has allocated over $10.5 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits toward the housing development, which was developed by HACM in partnership with UCC, a non-profit organization that provides quality programs for Milwaukee’s Latino community. These tax credits will also go toward the construction of a new senior community center, which will be connected to Olga Village.
“This development continues the United Community Center’s strong presence in Milwaukee’s Latino community by offering accessible, energy efficient apartment units, along with a bilingual and culturally enriched environment for its senior tenants.” said WHEDA Executive Director Riley. “For close-knit communities like this area, Olga Village represents a place where residents can live and receive the attention they need, yet stay close to the neighborhoods where they worked and raised their families.”
The WHEDA tax credits were supplemented by $2.2 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds administered by HACM in 2009, marking the City of Milwaukee’s first usage of federal stimulus funds for public housing.
The three-story Olga Village was constructed next to an existing 20-unit apartment complex for low income seniors on the campus of UCC. The new development consists of 27 one bedroom and 10 two bedroom units located on the north side of West Washington Street near South 7th street.
Residents of Olga Village have access to a variety of UCC services including a senior meal program, recreational activities, transportation, and various social services. The new senior community center will provide residents with expanded access to those services. UCC’s campus includes the Latino Arts gallery, Cafe El Sol restaurant, the Latino Geriatric Center and an adult day care center.
