With its captivating historic homes, the Near West Side attracts many Milwaukeeans to its seven vibrant neighborhoods. Yet, these beautiful homes often require maintenance to preserve their historic charm while addressing needed repairs.
Through the Live, Work, Play Incentive, Near West Side Partners offers dollar-for-dollar matching grants of up to $1,000 to help homeowners address visible exterior repairs or urgent issues flagged by the Department of Neighborhood Services—supporting the revitalization of the Near West Side.
As of April 1, NWSP has reopened applications for the Live, Work, Play Home Repair Grants. Here’s how local homeowners are putting the grant to work — and breathing new life into their historic homes.
Joyce Jordan, Concordia neighborhood resident
Joyce Jordan, a resident of the Concordia neighborhood, loves calling the Near West Side home for its convenient access to various parts of Milwaukee and the ease of freeway accessibility. She loves the charm of the historic homes in her neighborhood—but acknowledges that maintaining them can be both challenging and costly.
When her historic home required exterior repairs, Jordan sought advice from her alderman, who recommended reaching out to NWSP for assistance.
That’s when Jordan discovered NWSP’s Live, Work, Play Incentive. Through this program, she secured grant funding to repair her front porch, install a security door and freshen up her home’s exterior with a new coat of paint.
Grateful for the support, Jordan remarked, “I appreciate how active NWSP is in our community and their recognition of how external repairs enhance the look and feel of our homes.”
Now that her repairs are complete, Jordan enthusiastically recommends NWSP’s Live, Work, Play Incentive to her neighbors and friends, knowing first hand the positive impact it can have on the community.
Shanetrise Brown, Avenues West neighborhood resident
Shanetrise Brown has called Avenues West home for over 21 years. She loves her neighborhood for its historic charm, Victorian-inspired architecture, convenient proximity to important landmarks and rich diversity of its community.
When a coworker told her about NWSP’s Home Repair Grant Program, Brown seized the opportunity to tackle much-needed repairs on her roof, gutters and porch.
Thanks to a $1,000 grant from NWSP, Brown was able to offset some of the unexpected costs that came with upgrading her home. “This grant really helped me manage the repairs,” she shared.
For many homeowners, finding accessible resources can be a daunting and time-consuming task. That’s why NWSP’s matching grant, with its simple application process, makes a big difference for Near West Side residents. Since completing her repairs, Brown has been enthusiastic in recommending the Home Repair Grant Program to her neighbors and fellow community members.
Is your historic home in need of repairs? Apply for NWSP’s Live, Work, Play Incentive and restore your home.
