Common Ground Supports Amendment Funding DNS Oversight of HACM

Common Ground and resident leaders from Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) properties support the Common Council’s amendment to the Mayor’s budget that includes $118,000 to hire two additional Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) inspectors to respond to property complaints from HACM residents.

We worked with the Common Council to approve legislation authorizing DNS to inspect and enforce City housing codes at buildings owned or managed by HACM. The Council unanimously passed this legislation on October 10, and this budget amendment provides the necessary funding for DNS to carry out this work that protects resident health and safety..

We appreciate the support from all Council Members, and we want to especially recognize Council President José Pérez and Alderwoman Dimitrijevic for their leadership on this.

There are 5,000 individuals and families living in HACM properties. These folks are the only Milwaukee residents who until now have not had access to the important health and safety protections that DNS provides for tenants of rental properties citywide. This ordinance and this funding are necessary first steps in reforming HACM.

Common Ground’s Tenants United campaign to reform public housing includes numerous other problems: overcharging tenants, abusive management, criminal activity, inaccessibility, and more.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.