Home improvement grants offered for three neighborhoods

Exterior home improvement grants are available to residents of three Milwaukee neighborhoods through a partnership among the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Wells Fargo and the City of Milwaukee.

Qualified homeowners in Capitol Heights, Havenwoods and Lincoln Village neighborhoods can apply for matching grants up to $3,000 through the Healthy Neighborhoods Minor Home Improvement Pilot Program. The minimum allowable project is $800, and homeowners are required to contribute at least 25 percent of the total project cost.

The three eligible neighborhoods are part of the Foundation’s Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative, a public-private partnership with the City of Milwaukee investing in the physical conditions, positive image, social connections and stabilization of specific city neighborhoods.

“Providing resources for realistic home improvements helps responsible homeowners enhance their homes, increases home values and gives a boost to the whole neighborhood,” said Darlene Russell, program officer for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. “We expect this program will help at least 75 homeowners complete a worthwhile project this year.”

Last April, the Foundation matched a $500,000 grant it received from Wells Fargo’s Neighborhood LIFT program to create a $1 million pool of funds to enhance employment and housing opportunities in Milwaukee neighborhoods. Those dollars are now at work in the community. The first series of grants from the funding pool supported youth employment programs last year.

“Helping maintain strong neighborhoods is a key part of Wells Fargo’s commitment to Milwaukee,” said Sang Kim, Wells Fargo region president for Wisconsin. “Our Neighborhood LIFT program is one way we help increase homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods. We’re pleased to join forces with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and the city on this important initiative that will help homeowners make necessary repairs and improvements to their homes. We know our contribution is a small part of the overall effort, yet we hope it will make a big difference to homeowners and the community.”

For this program, the Foundation is providing $150,000 from its co-investment with Wells Fargo while the City of Milwaukee’s Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC) is contributing an additional $75,000.

“Homeownership is key to strong neighborhoods. We look forward to continuing our work in the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative as well as our partnership with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Wells Fargo to support committed Milwaukee homeowners and help them make improvements to their homes and neighborhoods,” Mayor Tom Barrett said.

Homeowners interested in applying for a minor home improvement grant can contact the coordinating lead agency in their respective Healthy Neighborhood for information: