“On the Issues” to examine Milwaukee’s foreclosure crisis

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee’s home foreclosure crisis will be the topic of an upcoming “On the Issues with Mike Gousha,” Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in Eckstein Hall, 1215 W. Michigan St.

The number of tax-foreclosed homes in Milwaukee’s central city stands at roughly 1,000. Many are vacant and vandalized. But nonprofit groups working in some of Milwaukee’s most challenged neighborhoods say there’s another story to be told, one of hope and opportunity. They say that progress is being made in addressing the foreclosure crisis in the city, and that hundreds of low-income residents are getting a once-in-a-lifetime chance to transition from renting to home ownership.

Joining us for this important conversation will be Michael Gosman, the assistant director of ACTS Housing; Hilaria Rios, home ownership specialist for ACTS Housing; Willie Smith, director of housing for the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation; and Aaron Szopinski, the housing policy director for the city of Milwaukee. The four will discuss the current state of the foreclosure problem, and what’s being done to solve it.

Seating is limited; registration is available online. For those who can’t attend in person, a “watch now” button on the registration page will provide access to a live video stream.

Gousha, an award-winning television journalist, is the Law School’s distinguished fellow in law and public policy. His “On the Issues” series of conversations with newsmakers supports Marquette Law School’s commitment to serve as a modern-day public square for the city of Milwaukee, the state of Wisconsin and beyond.

Through the Marquette Law School Poll, debates featuring candidates in significant political races, public lectures by leading scholars and topical conferences — all open to the community — the Law School serves as a venue for serious civil discourse about law and public policy matters.

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.