Acts Housing Nears $26.4 Million Fundraising Campaign Goal as Non-Profit Marks its 30th Anniversary
Launches Public Phase of Opening Doors Campaign Designed to Transform Local Housing Landscape and Expand Homeownership
Milwaukee, June 2, 2025 – As it marks its 30th anniversary, nonprofit Acts Housing today announced the launch of the final phase of its $26.4 million Opening Doors Campaign. The nonprofit provides homebuyer and financial education and counseling, lending and real estate services, and home rehab coaching.
“For 30 years, Acts Housing has been a trusted partner helping families overcome the greatest barriers to home ownership, including income, credit and language,” said Acts Housing President & CEO Michael Gosman. “But the dwindling supply of affordable homes available to first-time buyers is one of today’s greatest challenges.”
The Opening Doors Campaign addresses this issue by providing a sustainable investment that allows Acts Housing to compete with predatory investors to preserve affordable housing inventory, empower families to reclaim and restore distressed properties, and convert investor-owned rentals back into owner-occupied homes.
“The impact of this investment is far reaching including building generational wealth through home ownership, enhanced physical and mental well-being for families, improved educational outcomes for children, and much more,” Gosman said. “Every dollar raised and invested helps build stronger families, healthier neighborhoods, and a brighter future for Milwaukee.”
Thirty Year Impact
Since its founding in 1995, more than 4,000 families have purchased homes through Acts Housing and 70% of them still own their original home. Almost all (90%) remain owner-occupiers, a crucial indicator of neighborhood stability. Further, foreclosures are 45% lower among Acts families in Milwaukee than in the same neighborhoods overall. Acts families have also reclaimed and rehabbed nearly 1,000 foreclosed properties, investing nearly $400 million in their new homes and communities.
In 2024, Acts reported 310 owner-occupied sales with women “Heads of Household” representing 65% of those new homeowners. Additionally, more than half (53%) of last year’s home sales were to Black families.
“In honor of Acts Housing on its 30th anniversary and the support they’ve provided to thousands of local families in pursuit of their homeownership dreams, the City of Milwaukee proclaims June 2, 2025, as Empowerment through Homeownership day,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “Together with their homeowner families, Acts Housing’s is leaving a generational impact for our neighborhoods.”
“Our shared vision for Milwaukee County includes expanding equitable access to safe, quality, and affordable housing and homeownership opportunities. By working with partners like Acts Housing, we’re witnessing progress in advancing this ambitious goal,” added County Executive David Crowley. “Acts Housing’s legacy of success demonstrates what’s possible when the public, private, and non-profit sectors partner to solve our region’s most pressing challenges. By supporting Acts Housing and investing in their mission, we’re investing in local families and fostering stability, resiliency, and health.”
Both the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County have made significant contributions to the Acts Housing Opening Doors Campaign. Learn more about the Campaign and donate here.
In addition to its Milwaukee location, Acts Housing also has an office in Beloit which opened in 2019.
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.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Acts Housing
Non-Profit Acts Housing Sees Increased Interest in Homeownership during COVID-19 Crisis
Apr 21st, 2020 by Acts HousingOnline Offerings Attract Record Level of Orientation and Counseling Participants