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

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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: