We recognize that well-being depends on safe housing and economic opportunity and we strive to make this a reality for every Amani resident. We do this by supporting programs that create homeownership and programs that support home repair.
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Supporting Homeowners, Renters, ResidentsIn 2024, DC received funding from United Way, allowing us to provide assistance for eight families by paying back rent, utilities, and back taxes. This helped residents get back on track and improve their quality of life.
DC worked with the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee to plan two Business Law Seminars aimed at giving Amani residents the tools to start their own businesses. In addition, LAS was at DC offering bi-weekly office hours to assist Amani residents with estate planning and housing issues. We worked as part of the R.O.N. Coalition to survey 3,584 parcels to assess the exterior condition of homes and followed up with hundreds of residents in 2024. We were able to share home repair resources with homeowners and landlords. In addition DC held Rent Smart Trainings, 10 monthly housing meetings, held a housing resources seminar, and invited residents on a tour of Habitat and modular homes throughout the city to provide examples of affordable housing options. We facilitated resident engagement in 35 community meetings and events to improve homeownership, estate planning, entrepreneurship and other community housing issues. |
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Amani Housing Strategy & Block by Block Initiative
In 2018, Milwaukee LISC provided customized Loveland software to Dominican Center and Amani United, enabling a comprehensive survey of all 3,740 parcels in the Amani neighborhood. This informed the launch of a resident- and partner-driven housing strategy in early 2019, currently focused on revitalizing the 2900 N. 26th Street pilot block through improvements to both existing and new housing stock. Neighborhood Survey In 2023, residents conducted exterior condition surveys of approximately 3,584 parcels across Amani, covering 130 blocks, using the Reclaiming Our Neighborhoods (RON) survey tool. These results guide ongoing housing improvement priorities and resource allocation. In 2024, Amani residents used information from external surveys to complete person-to-person surveys for parcels that had two or more major repairs or were delinquent on taxes. Compensation in the form of stipends ($13,000 total) enabled resident leadership and participation in neighborhood revitalization efforts. Resources in Real Time The Dominican Center began hosting our monthly Housing & Economic Development Meetings to provide residents with resources whether they rent, own or are looking for a home. These meetings, held in collaboration with Amani United, bring in a different housing or economic development partner each month to offer resources and information. |
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Legal Housing Support
In 2023, the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee provided legal representation to 302 residents in the 53206 zip code, addressing housing security, benefits, consumer issues, estate planning, and pardon applications. Legal Aid also partnered with the Community Land Trust to support homeownership pathways through pre-closing counseling and closing assistance to Amani residents.
Community Land Trust & Affordable Homeownership
A milestone in affordable homeownership: VIA CDC and the Milwaukee Community Land Trust collaborated to renovate and offer four homes in Amani via a community land trust model. These homes were upgraded with new roofs, wiring, plumbing, HVAC, and furnaces and are sold below market rate and remain permanently affordable. Dominican Center is one of several collaborating partners.
Block Build MKE 2024
In a massive weekend revitalization effort, Block Build MKE in partnership with Revitalize Milwaukee and Amani United, took place August 16–17, 2024. 11 Amani homes received free critical repairs and upgrades in less than 48 hours, including porch rebuilding, bathroom conversions, kitchen updates, and safety enhancements, all provided at no cost to eligible homeowners.
Block by Block Housing Initiative
The Amani Housing Pilot, Block by Block, has been studied by the Wisconsin Policy Forum as a model of neighborhood-based, collaborative housing revitalization. The initiative partners residents, nonprofit groups, and funders like the Northwestern Mutual Foundation to guide future scalable efforts.
Since 2019, 16 homes in Amani have received $190,000 in repairs—including new furnaces, windows, and security doors—and many local residents (especially those facing barriers to employment) have gained construction training opportunities as part of the project.
Additionally, flexible funding provided by JP Morgan Chase supported four residents in securing major home repairs, including full roof replacements, siding work and porch and walkway restoration.
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Housing Grant
In October 2021, Dominican Center received a $32,500 grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to support Amani housing initiatives. This funding bolsters access to housing programs, resources, and services in alignment with the Amani Revitalization Plan.
United Way Funded “Safe & Stable Housing” Program
Dominican Center is a 2024 grantee of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s housing initiative, Safe & Stable Housing in Milwaukee's Amani Neighborhood. This program provides resource navigation, educational workshops, and direct financial assistance to help residents avoid eviction or foreclosure.
In 2023, the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee provided legal representation to 302 residents in the 53206 zip code, addressing housing security, benefits, consumer issues, estate planning, and pardon applications. Legal Aid also partnered with the Community Land Trust to support homeownership pathways through pre-closing counseling and closing assistance to Amani residents.
Community Land Trust & Affordable Homeownership
A milestone in affordable homeownership: VIA CDC and the Milwaukee Community Land Trust collaborated to renovate and offer four homes in Amani via a community land trust model. These homes were upgraded with new roofs, wiring, plumbing, HVAC, and furnaces and are sold below market rate and remain permanently affordable. Dominican Center is one of several collaborating partners.
Block Build MKE 2024
In a massive weekend revitalization effort, Block Build MKE in partnership with Revitalize Milwaukee and Amani United, took place August 16–17, 2024. 11 Amani homes received free critical repairs and upgrades in less than 48 hours, including porch rebuilding, bathroom conversions, kitchen updates, and safety enhancements, all provided at no cost to eligible homeowners.
Block by Block Housing Initiative
The Amani Housing Pilot, Block by Block, has been studied by the Wisconsin Policy Forum as a model of neighborhood-based, collaborative housing revitalization. The initiative partners residents, nonprofit groups, and funders like the Northwestern Mutual Foundation to guide future scalable efforts.
Since 2019, 16 homes in Amani have received $190,000 in repairs—including new furnaces, windows, and security doors—and many local residents (especially those facing barriers to employment) have gained construction training opportunities as part of the project.
Additionally, flexible funding provided by JP Morgan Chase supported four residents in securing major home repairs, including full roof replacements, siding work and porch and walkway restoration.
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Housing Grant
In October 2021, Dominican Center received a $32,500 grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to support Amani housing initiatives. This funding bolsters access to housing programs, resources, and services in alignment with the Amani Revitalization Plan.
United Way Funded “Safe & Stable Housing” Program
Dominican Center is a 2024 grantee of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s housing initiative, Safe & Stable Housing in Milwaukee's Amani Neighborhood. This program provides resource navigation, educational workshops, and direct financial assistance to help residents avoid eviction or foreclosure.
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Block By Block
Video by Northwestern Mutual
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Block By Block In the News
Amani Housing Pilot as a Model for Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization | Wisconsin Policy Forum
How to Save a City, Block by Block | Urban Milwaukee
'Every House is a Classroom': How Amani's Block by Block program is Creating Change | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
'Every House is a Classroom': How Amani's Block by Block program is Creating Change | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Amani Neighborhood Gets a Facelift that's About So Much More than Fresh Paint | TMJ4
How Milwaukee Neighborhood Takes Charge of Revitalization | Wisconsin Public Radio
Community Housing Project Providing Training, Renovations | WisBusiness
Northwestern Mutual Commits to Neighborhood Revitalization with Nearly $1.7 Million in Grants | Northwestern Mutual
How to Save a City, Block by Block | Urban Milwaukee
'Every House is a Classroom': How Amani's Block by Block program is Creating Change | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
'Every House is a Classroom': How Amani's Block by Block program is Creating Change | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Amani Neighborhood Gets a Facelift that's About So Much More than Fresh Paint | TMJ4
How Milwaukee Neighborhood Takes Charge of Revitalization | Wisconsin Public Radio
Community Housing Project Providing Training, Renovations | WisBusiness
Northwestern Mutual Commits to Neighborhood Revitalization with Nearly $1.7 Million in Grants | Northwestern Mutual
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