Mayor Delivers the 2026 State of the City
The Year of Housing is Featured Prominently
Mayor Cavalier Johnson delivered his annual State of the City speech Monday in which he highlighted the extensive work his administration has undertaken to promote affordability of, safety in, and access to housing in Milwaukee.
The Mayor declared 2026 to be the Year of Housing in the city. In his remarks, he pointed out, “everything begins at home.”
“I know that personally. As I was growing up, my mom was instrumental in fostering my resilience and my perseverance. And, with my wife, we have built a home for our children that is supportive, encouraging, and loving,” Mayor Johnson said. “A good home is a first classroom for a child. It’s a place of safety and caring. It’s an environment where people grow – blossoming into full individuals. Homes can offer stability to a family, to a block, a neighborhood and, yes, an entire city.”
He presented his State of the City remarks at The Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy on North Vel Phillips Avenue before an audience of about six hundred people. That location was chosen because of its proximity to three housing developments all constructed with city support.
“Just about every renter, every home buyer, and anyone else who tracks the costs of residential real estate knows the cost of housing – the affordability of housing – is a big challenge for many. We have seen prices rise. We have seen competition intensify for housing. As a result, too many people are stuck in a disappointing living situation and squeezed financially,” the Mayor said. “Everyone who currently lives in Milwaukee, and those who want to, should have access to an affordable, safe home that meets their needs. That is what we are striving for in the Year of Housing.”
Steps Undertaken
The Mayor enumerated steps undertaken by his Department of City Development, his Department of Neighborhood Services, and by multiple partners who are working to promote good housing options.
He directed his harshest criticism toward the administration of President Donald Trump.
“Ties between local and federal governments have broken. Yes, elections have consequences, but it’s far from clear that voters wanted a cruel defunding of federal programs. And, no one voted for the militaristic adventurism in South America, the Middle East, and even Greenland. No one asked for the weaponization of America’s criminal justice system. And even the President’s strongest supporters did not ask for skyrocketing gas prices,” the Mayor said. “The deadly and malicious immigration policy of President Donald Trump’s administration is particularly egregious. I will be direct: immigrants make Milwaukee stronger, safer, and richer. They always have. Immigrants add to our economy and our culture. Immigrants who have positively contributed to our city should earn a path to citizenship.”
Mayor Johnson spoke about some of the city’s challenges over the past year including the extensive flooding that took place last August and the remediation of lead exposure risks in nearly one-hundred Milwaukee Public Schools. Through the collaborative work at those schools, the Mayor said the relationship between his administration and MPS grew stronger.
He concluded his speech on a positive note.
“We have assets and advantages no other city can match. We will build on those to improve the lives of Milwaukeeans,” the Mayor said. “Milwaukee is a city of great people – hardworking, innovative, and caring people. They give me the confidence to say Milwaukee’s future is very bright and the state of the city is strong.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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