essential as is adjusting program parameters so that more people are able to qualify for the programs. After roofs are repaired or replaced, renovating existing buildings and homes requires sources of funding and support. Some sources of funding include:
t Me2 grant funds for improving existing foreclosed homes to promote energy efficiency and improve the quality of the houses for resale. t Funding from the Façade Grant program to renovate the street-facing exteriors of their buildings while promoting products (e.g. windows, building materials) that will provide energy efficiencies. t Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funding for completing a feasibility study on the development of green infrastructure, complete streets, and green buildings projects. TIF funding is a public financing method that is used to subsidize redevelopment or infrastructure projects using future gains in taxes to subsidize current improvements. t The Housing Infrastructure Preservation (HIP) Fund that makes investments in historically or architecturally significant properties owned by City. t The Neighborhood Improvement Development (NIDC) loan program for home preservation and rehabilitation. Given recent funding reductions, resources are currently limited to TIN residents, elderly homeowners, and owners with an emergency repair need who can qualify for a repayable Emergency loan. t Milwaukee’s Department of City Development (DCD) lease-to-own program (in development) for qualified tenants in City-owned property to guide both the tenant and the property owner through ownership transition. Funding for demolition and deconstruction of buildings not fit for habitation continues to be a priority for the Department of Neighborhood Services. The City simply does not have enough money to demolish all the homes on the City’s raze order list. Additionally, the City is interested in working with private sector and non-profit partners to implement strategic deconstruction on a cost-effective basis. Not only does deconstruction reduce waste to landfill and put resources back into productive use, but it also provides a significant opportunity for job creation as the deconstruction market in Milwaukee is relatively small and currently consists of a handful of firms and purveyors. The City’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) addresses the impacts of foreclosed and vacant properties on City neighborhoods. NSP funds have been used in the acquisition, rehabilitation and construction of close to 1,000 housing units and resulted in more than $100 million of new investment. (The City must seek to identify new sources of funding to continue this work as NSP funding sunsets.) Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) already invests in foreclosure impacted neighborhoods. As the City and community implement strategies in this chapter, activities should be aligned with current CDBG actions to focus funding to the city block level (as opposed to allocating based on Census tracts as is standard practice).
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ilwaukee will reach its goals for its residential, commercial, and industrial building stock by bringing together different stakeholders and building partnerships to make a difference. Key to successful strategy implementation is to first establish a baseline of Milwaukee’s residential and commercial real estate market situation and then to target limited, available resources toward the most highly distressed areas. Administrative actions such as establishment of sustainable design and building guidelines will enhance the sustainable elements of renovation and reconstruction, and potentially make a significant contribution to creating new green jobs. Updating / streamlining codes and procedures to benefit homeowners will encourage home renovation, support neighborhood aesthetics, and save energy when more efficient materials and designs are encouraged and implemented. The City will need to provide effective consideration and suggestions to renovators and builders, easing navigation through all potential, available funding sources and optimizing the use of limited monetary resources.
Continue collaborative work with community partners and lenders to save homes from foreclosure In regard to foreclosure properties and homes, the City has drafted and begun implementing a plan through the Mayor’s Milwaukee Foreclosure Initiative that incorporates best practices from around the country to mitigate the impacts of foreclosure. Non-public and (if necessary) public sources of financing will be identified that will allow qualified home buyers to purchase and rehabilitate existing vacant homes, with a focus on energy efficient measures. Vacant housing is reoccupied and taken off demolition candidate lists. This is crucial for overall neighborhood sustainability in the neighborhoods where the City owns large numbers of homes.
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Sustainability Plan 2013 / 19