Inside Common Ground's Historic Campaign to Reform Public Housing

Inside Common Ground's Historic Campaign to Reform Public Housing

BY BEN SLOWEY

Shepherd Express

APR. 08, 2024

1:08 P.M.

Local organization Common Ground’s Tenants United campaign is working to hold the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) accountable in keeping Milwaukee public housing safe and healthy. Common Ground has talked to thousands of tenants in these units about poor living conditions and HACM’s failure to address such issues accordingly. Milwaukee has had its fair share of inspiring marches, movements and protests, and the Tenants United campaign’s systematic display of low-income resident power is a profound example in recent history.

We spoke to Common Ground Associate Organizer Kevin Solomon and Resident Leaders Betty Newton, Chris Logan, Patrick Murphy and Felicia Shoates about their formidable efforts.

According to their website, HACM manages over 5,000 subsidized and affordable housing units in 27 properties, making them the second largest landlord in Milwaukee, behind Berrada Properties. HUD data shows that HACM residents are about 90 percent of color; many are senior citizens, people with disabilities and/or veterans. 

Read more here.