You Saved DPA!

Last Friday, the Milwaukee Common Council approved the 2026 City Budget, which includes $800,000 in new funding for Down Payment Assistance. This fully funds Down Payment Assistance (DPA) at $1.4 million, a major step forward in expanding homeownership opportunities for Milwaukee residents.We’re grateful to the Common Council and the Mayor’s Office for their collaboration, and to Aldermen Russell W. Stamper, II and Peter Burgelis, Alderwomen Sharlen P. Moore and Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Scott Spiker, and Finance Chair Marina Dimitrijevic for their leadership and support in advancing this effort.

#CommunityDevelopmentAlliance #CollectiveImpact #DownPaymentAssistance

Real change requires collective power.

CDA is committed to collaborating with municipalities to advance statewide legislation that strengthens and supports local governments. By working together, we can create policies that not only prioritize homeowners and protect vulnerable families, but also provide municipalities with the tools they need to better serve their residents. Looking ahead, we may also partner with the county, recognizing that housing justice requires coordination at every level of government. We are in this for the long haul—building lasting structures of advocacy and policy change that will sustain Milwaukee and its neighborhoods for generations.

Our Policy Objectives

Since 2023, CDA has been a leader in city-wide resident collaboration, co-hosting nearly 100 resident collaboration sessions with neighborhood organizations, and co-creating Milwaukee’s first city-wide Resident Advisory Council on Housing (RACH). These resident conversations reveal an incredible passion for our community, and a wide range of opinions on both policies and priorities. Although there will never be one unanimous opinion among residents we collaborate with; there are two powerful issues that the vast majority of resident collaborators have elevated: Prioritizing Homeowners over Investors and Protecting Vulnerable Families from Displacement. Fortunately, studies show there are many strategies and policies that serve the dual purpose of both prioritizing homeowners and protecting against displacement.

The 2025 Policy Agenda of the Community Development Alliance is a direct result of the priorities we have heard from Residents. You can read the full report here: CDA 2025 Policy Objectives

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Get Activated

Policy & Advocacy Council

Interest Form

Join the movement to shape housing policy in Milwaukee. By signing up, you’ll be contacted directly by our Policy and Advocacy Director with opportunities to attend hearings, take action, and build collective power.

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