Milwaukee Creates Blueprint to Expand Housing Options

Milwaukee is taking meaningful steps toward addressing housing affordability and accessibility with the recent adoption of its new Housing Element plan, a forward-thinking roadmap designed to meet the city’s changing housing needs. According to a press release from the City of Milwaukee, this plan will serve as a blueprint to guide development, affordability strategies, and neighborhood growth for years to come.

The Housing Element is part of Milwaukee’s broader comprehensive planning effort, but this section zeroes in on one of the city’s most pressing challenges: how to ensure all residents – regardless of income, age, or neighborhood – have access to safe, quality, and affordable housing

The Housing Element lays out actionable goals that aim to:

• Allow for Accessible Dwelling Units (ADU’s) to be built;
• Allow for Cottage Courts to be built;
• Promote housing stability through rental assistance and homeownership programs;
• Increase access to housing development by making improvements to zoning processes;
• Provide housing choices for all income levels throughout the city of Milwaukee and increase housing stability;
• Reduce displacement and support neighborhood cohesion.

Why It Matters – Especially for Older Adults
Housing is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about staying rooted in the communities we love. For AARP members and aging residents in Milwaukee, this initiative is a recognition of the fact that housing must evolve to fit the needs of people at every life stage.

The Housing Element plan takes into account aging-in-place strategies, which allow older residents to remain in their homes safely and comfortably. It also supports zoning changes and new development strategies that could lead to more options like accessory dwelling units (ADUs), senior co-housing, and affordable apartments near transit and amenities.

These changes reflect not only a practical approach to planning, but also a deeper commitment to ensuring that Milwaukee is a livable city for people of all ages.

A Thank You to Council Members Who Voted YES
Progress like this doesn’t happen without leadership. It’s important to recognize the Common Council members who voted yes to move this plan forward—who heard the voices of residents and chose to support a more inclusive housing future.

Thank you to the following Milwaukee Common Council members for your support:

• Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa (sponsor of)
• Alderwoman Sharlen Moore (sponsor of)
• Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr. (sponsor of)
• Alderman Peter Burgelis (sponsor of)
• Alderman Alex Brower (sponsor of)
• Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic
• Alderman Bob Bauman
• Alderman Russell Stamper II
• Alderwoman Andrea Pratt
• Alderwoman Milele Coggs
• Alderman Lamont Westmoreland
• Alderwoman Larresa Taylor

Your votes signal that the city is ready to take bold and necessary steps toward solving its housing challenges with compassion, innovation, and equity in mind.

We also want to take a moment to honor the late Alderman Jonathon Brostoff, who was a co-sponsor of the Housing Element plan and an early advocate for housing justice in Milwaukee. His commitment to equity and opportunity continues to shape the city’s future. May his legacy live on through the progress he helped set in motion.

A Word of Thanks to Mayor Johnson
This plan would not have moved from vision to action without the support of Mayor Cavalier Johnson. His leadership in backing the Housing Element and embracing a more inclusive housing future reflects a clear commitment to smart growth, affordability, and equitable neighborhood development.

Thank you, Mayor Johnson, for helping ensure Milwaukee is on a path to becoming a more livable city for all and for generations to come.

Appreciation for the City’s Planning Team
We also extend our sincere thanks to the Department of City Development (DCD) staff, whose hard work and dedication over the past two years made this plan possible. From community engagement to data analysis and vision-setting, the DCD team has been instrumental in shaping a housing strategy that reflects Milwaukee’s values and future needs. Your expertise and commitment to equity-driven planning are deeply appreciated.

To learn more about The Housing Element, please visit 2025 Housing Element Draft | Housing Element | Engage MKE.