By Milwaukee Courier Staff
Mayor Tom Barrett
Milwaukee needs to be a place where people can afford to live, thrive and raise families.
Mayor Tom Barrett is delivering on this pledge.
Milwaukee remains the economic engine of this region-and the state. Growth in neighborhoods across the city and downtown helps us deliver services for every part of Milwaukee, while keeping the tax rate under control.
Under Barrett’s leadership, the city has reclaimed vacant and foreclosed property to make a skyscraper’s worth of value, one house at a time. Over 3,000 city-owned properties have been taken back for Milwaukee families and businesses, creating $170M in taxable value. Continued growth in downtown value is picking up more of your tax bill. Without downtown values going up, the average homeowner would pay $300 more per year in taxes.
Milwaukee has grown under Barrett, in a historically hard economy. The plan Barrett supported, without subsidy, created thousands of new units and residents in the heart of the city. Best of all, many of these developments were in vacant commercial and industrial properties, so the long-term residents that keep our neighborhoods strong were not displaced.
The mayor isn’t just focusing on downtown-he’s delivering in our neighborhoods in big numbers. He is making and supporting investment after investment in the areas that need it most, from Westlawn to Clarke Square to Bronzeville and Amani.
There are over 7,000 new affordable and market rate units outside of downtown: the new Westlawn Gardens, the Griot, supportive housing, and hundreds of single-family homes helping Milwaukee families earn wealth and build a future. Barret’s 10,000 affordable homes pledge is paying dividends already, supporting 2,100 affordable housing opportunities in just two years.
This is so important, too: the city of Milwaukee sells the most homes where the city owns the most homes. Harambee, Amani, Washington Park, and Sherman Park are some of the neighborhoods where the most city-owned property has been converted to ownership and affordable housing.
In the past few years due to jobs, education and lifestyle, the numbers are rising for young
people moving to Milwaukee.
Not only are young people staying in Milwaukee but they’re getting increased educational opportunities and putting down roots. There are more college grads coming to Milwaukee or making the decision to stay here after graduation. Since 2005, the number of city residents with a bachelor’s or higher has increased 31% and young adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is up 48%.
Barrett has a gift for bringing people together to solve problems and grow our city. Behind his positive leadership, hundreds of millions have been invested in Milwaukee neighborhoods, increasing affordable housing, growing homeownership, and supporting Milwaukee families.
With all that the mayor has done for this city, it’s paid off in many ways for the people of
Milwaukee.
