ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY BY PROVIDING A QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HOME FOR EVERY MILWAUKEEAN
2025 Annual Conference Key Takeaways​
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Shared Understanding – Participants gained clarity on how property tax assessments operate in Wisconsin, and how displacement impacts vulnerable communities.
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Learning from Other States – Philadelphia was highlighted as examples of bipartisan action to protect aging residents, offering valuable lessons for Milwaukee.
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Policy Direction – Attendees participated in a gallery walk (see image below) to share thoughts, comments, stories, concerns, and suggestions around displacement, assessments, and property taxes. Attendees also joined in a table discussion to evaluate a draft policy proposal and provide input on potential impacts, unintended consequences, and strategies for organizing and accountability.
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Momentum for Change – The conference reaffirmed a citywide commitment to advancing policies that protect aging neighbors and strengthen Milwaukee’s neighborhoods.
Milwaukee residents have elevated displacement as posing a risk to the quality of life of past, present and future generations in vulnerable Milwaukee neighborhoods. If our city's aging neighbors cannot afford their homes, they will be displaced from their neighborhoods.
This leaves aging neighbors without stable housing, and neighborhoods lose quality inventory for future generations when investors buy those homes. Communities across the country have helped solve this problem by providing for a lower property tax rate for aging neighbors.
For too long in Wisconsin we have been intimidated by our state’s Uniformity Clause, but other states have successfully amended their Uniformity Clauses to protect aging neighbors. Join us in learning from allies in other states and help set a path forward to protect aging neighbors in Milwaukee.
A Path Forward
Next Steps
Update!
September 2026: We have Legislative Sponsors and support to introduce protecting aging neighbors.
City of Milwaukee
Alderwoman Sharlen Moore will be sponsoring a file to add protecting aging neighbors in the 2027-2028 Legislative Agenda.
Common Council President Perez is in support to find short term and long-term solutions.
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Milwaukee County
Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors
Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell
County legislative business is actively debated and advanced by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and the Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.