On Monday, September 25th, 153 Common Ground leaders and residents of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) gathered for the Steering & Rules Committee at City Hall to call for Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) oversight over HACM properties.

“HACM has systematically mismanaged their building maintenance for years—just like they have mismanaged their finances” said Deacon Alexander Hardy of Community Baptist Church and the Common Ground Strategy Team. “There are 5,000 individuals and families living in HACM properties. These folks are the only Milwaukee residents who do not have the protection of DNS. DNS oversight is a necessary first step in reigning in this unaccountable, abusive organization.”

Alderwoman Coggs strengthen the ordinance by adding an amendment requiring DNS to regularly report back to the Council about HACM maintenance statuses.  The committee voted unanimously to pass the ordinance — it now goes to the full Council October 10, and the Mayor will have until the 19th to sign.  

Watch the residents testify about their maintenance problems. 

Here is a sampling of the news coverage:

TMJ4: new-ordinance-could-enforce-oversight-on-troubled-city-housing-authority

Urban Milwaukee: council-residents-seek-solutions-for-housing-authority-woes/

Milwaukee Courier: the-city-is-pushing-for-more-oversight-of-the-housing-authority-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (FRONT PAGE): https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/2023/09/26/milwaukees-housing-authority-needs-more-oversight-city-officials-say/70963732007/