CDA | MKE Habitat

Highlights

Home furnishings were donated to the Tillman family, thanks to a generous sponsorship by:

Community Development Alliance (CDA)-Next GEN Tour of Homes May 16 2025_065.JPG

During the CDA Next GEN Home Bus Tour, attendees visited a newly developed home by Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity in the Harambee neighborhood.

Brian Sonderman, CEO, and Al Smith, COO of Milwaukee Habitat, welcomed attendees and shared how Habitat has been transforming lives through affordable homeownership since 1984—serving over 1,500 local families. The homeowners, Sylvia and Kenneth Tillman, shared their personal journey to homeownership, offering inspiration and encouragement to others dreaming of owning a home. In addition, Ex Fabula storyteller William Harrell delivered a powerful story that drew connections between housing access and the criminal justice system, highlighting the broader societal impact of affordable housing.

Attendees toured the beautifully staged interior of the home, which features:

Single Family
Two stories
4-bedrooms, 2-baths
Unfinished basement
New kitchen appliances
Home security system

About Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity

Brian Sonderman has served as CEO of Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity since 2011, leading the organization in its mission to provide safe, stable, and affordable housing solutions for families across Milwaukee. In 2024, Al Smith became the Chief Operating Officer.

While the average cost to rent in Milwaukee exceeds $1,800 per month—and the average cost to own is over $2,300 per month—Milwaukee Habitat provides a path to homeownership with typical monthly payments between $800-$1000 for a brand-new home.

Looking ahead, Habitat’s bold goals include:

Building 34 new construction homes for first-time homebuyers in 2025
Completing 115–130 Critical Home Repair projects which includes whole home lead remediation projects for existing homeowners
By 2028, scaling to 40 new homes a year

As an implementation partner of the Community Development Alliance, Milwaukee Habitat is actively building homes in the Harambee neighborhood, Lindsay Heights, King Park and Midtown neighborhoods.

Learn more about Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity at www.milwaukeehabitat.org

For more information about the Harambee Homeownership Initiative, visit: www.housingplan.org/harambeehomes

For more information about the King Park/Midtown Homeownership Initiative, visit www.housingplan.org/1st-generation-homes

Willow Plan Home Model