Community Development Alliance

Get caught up on the latest news involving CDA and its allies creating affordable housing by registering for our next All Allies meeting at noon on June 9. It's only a week away, so register today!

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VdeX3-_uTf2eOXGElz_sRQ #/registration

Wow! Thank you to Mayor Johnson for recognizing our work in the annual Mayor's Design Awards! The award recognizes the homes our ally Michael Emem built as part of our Midtown TID project. Additional project partners are WHEDA and MESH Construction.

Together, our alliance is making great strides towards making affordable homeownership a reality for every Milwaukeean. Please consider joining our alliance today.

https://city.milwaukee.gov/MayorsDesignAwards/2026

May celebrates Military Appreciation Month.

In June 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the G.I. Bill into law, giving veterans government aid to obtain vocational or college education and receive low-interest business loans and mortgages.

Racial discrimination by local officials excluded many Black veterans from receiving these benefits. Newer programs have allowed veterans of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other wars to pursue college educations and receive housing assistance. Homeownership is one of the keys to building family wealth.

Today, we solemnly pay tribute to the Americans who died in military service for our country. You can learn more about some of the tributes, parades, and events around Milwaukee at https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/2026/05/14/check-out-these-2026-milwaukee-area-memorial-day-events/89506970007/.

Congratulations to our ally Data You Can Use on its 10th anniversary!

"Decade of Data: Cheers to 10 Years" was a boisterous celebration on May 20 at Sugar Maple in Bay View. CDA staff was in attendance to celebrate with Dr. Victor Amaya, Rohan Katti, Amanda Beavin, and the entire talented team at DYCU. Data You Can Use helps CDA and other organizations access, analyze, translate, interpret, and present data to improve community conditions. We're proud to work with you!

Join WUWM 89.7 - Milwaukee’s NPR on Wednesday, May 27 at CDA's Homeownership Lab for the "Keys to Homeownership Showcase." WUWM has spent the last six months reporting on barriers to homeownership in Milwaukee and the possible solutions. Join us at 5 p.m. to hear from the organizations that are working towards housing solutions in Milwaukee. It’s free to attend but you must register. See you there!

Click the link to register.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=w3rKC7b8_U6J623pdgPPIR_ufVfpYX1Atj5qMG2xNZRUOFhHUktQS0paVDZZNUpTSUs5N0s0WEpUUy4u

The Dominican Center for Women is a valued CDA ally working alongside Amani residents and community partners to build a stronger, more vibrant neighborhood.

Recognizing that community well-being is tied to safe housing and economic opportunity, the Dominican Center supports homeownership and home repair initiatives, including the Reclaiming Our Neighborhood (R.O.N.) Coalition. It is also home to Amani United, a resident-led group, and a partner in the Amani Homeownership Initiative with the Community Development Alliance (CDA).

Learn more about The Dominican Center and how to become involved by visiting https://www.dominican-center.org.

Attention Milwaukee Real Estate Professionals! Learn how you can help open the door to homeownership for more Milwaukee families while expanding your impact in the real estate community.

Join us on June 1 at 5:00 p.m. at the CDA Homeownership Lab to kickoff our Close One Open One Fundraising Challenge! At the event, you'll learn about CDA and the work we do in the community; officially pledge your fundraising support by signing the door of commitment; network with fellow agents, lenders, brokers, and community leaders; and be entered to win exciting raffle prizes, including a free home staging package and a professional listing photography package!

Homeownership is a key to generational wealth building. CDA's Johanna Jimenez spoke about homeownership at last Friday's Prosperity Summit sponsored by HPGM. Thanks to HPGM for hosting such a great event!

On May 8, CDA's Trenice Ferguson attended a Milwaukee Habitat workshop called Housing, Race, and Equity, facilitated by Beth Van Gorp of Habitat and Helen Reynolds, chair of the CDA Resident Advisory Council on Housing. This interactive and discussion-based workshop provides a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the impact of local history on housing patterns. Through the examination of primary sources and data maps, participants gained a better understanding of how intentional institutional choices resulted in segregated housing and the tangible effects that these decisions have had on the Milwaukee metro area. In addition to analyzing recent housing trends, the workshop also offered a chance to make a commitment to affordable housing and learn practical ways to take informed action.