Near West Side Partners is dedicated to increasing homeownership in the Near West Side and assisting tenants to ensure housing stability. If you are a homeowner, looking to become a homeowner or stay on the Near West Side in a rental property, consult the resources below for home repair grants, rental assistance and additional resources.

In order to help improve the quality of housing on Milwaukee’s Near West Side, NWSP has partnered with the Reclaiming Our Neighborhoods (RON) Coalition to survey the physical conditions of homes and connect residents to resources. 

Volunteers will be paid $15/hour for training and surveys attended via Visa gift card. More details for individuals who are interested to participate will be coming soon.

Interested in this paid volunteer opportunity? Attend the in-person housing survey volunteer training session Wednesday, July 13 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Near West Side Partners Waypoint, 1201 North 35th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233. 

Unable to attend the in-person training session? Virtual trainings will be scheduled via Zoom and virtual sessions will be recorded for volunteers unable to attend.

For more information and to register for a training opportunity, please contact:

Dia Henderson, Housing Resource Coordinator, Near West Side Partners
Email: hrc@nearwestsidepartners.org

Near West Side Partners is committed to improving homeownership opportunities and housing quality in the seven Near West Side neighborhoods. In order to support new and existing residents, NWSP offers three incentives through the Live, Work, Play program:

1. Matching grants for home repairs; 
2. Down payment incentive grants to assist with the purchase of a home in the Near West Side; and
3. Rental incentive grants for Near West Side employees.

This program is administered by Near West Side Partners and supported by ACTS Housing, Housing Resources, Inc. & Associated Bank.

In order to support homeowners interested in repairing and improving their residences, Near West Side Partners is offering dollar-for-dollar matching grants, up to $1000, for home repairs and improvements.

• Eligible homeowners must own a home in the Near West Side and occupy it as their primary residence.
• All repairs or improvements must address an exterior condition that can be viewed from the street -or- address an emergency repair ordered by the Department of Neighborhood Services.
• The grant will provide a dollar-for-dollar match for repairs, up to $1000. For example, if your project costs $2,000 or more, the grant will cover $1,000. If your project costs $500, the grant will cover up to $250.
• Property owners of all incomes are eligible
• Repair grants MAY NOT be used to construct new fences.
• Home repair grants are reimbursable and an application must be approved by NWSP before work begins. Only work completed after approval will be eligible for reimbursement.
• The homeowner is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and approvals, including approval from the Historic Preservation Committee, prior to beginning repair work.
• The number of awards will be limited annually and a waitlist will be created to manage demand.

NWSP offers down payment incentives to residents currently renting in the Near West Side and employees of Near West Side businesses who would like to live in the area. Down payment incentives of $3,000 are available to assist eligible homebuyers with the purchase of homes in the seven Near West Side neighborhoods. Participants will receive both financial and technical assistance as part of the program.

• Be a current renter in good standing in the Near West Side -or- be employed at Near West Side business;
• Agree to purchase a home in one of the seven the Near West Side neighborhoods;
• Agree to occupy that home as their primary residence; and
• Agree to participate in a homebuyer education program.

If you are interested in calling the Near West Side home but are not yet ready to buy, the Live, Work, Play Rental Incentive is for you. Employees of Near West Side businesses are eligible for a $500 rental incentive when they sign a lease with any certified Good Neighbor landlord.

• Be employed at Near West Side business;
• Agree to sign a new one-year lease with a Good Neighbor property; and
• Agree to occupy the leased unit as their primary residence during the lease term.