CNI NEWS

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) have completed a four-year Voluntary Compliance Agreement with recognition that HACM has greatly exceeded goals for the Section 3 program that provides job and contracting opportunities to public housing and other low-income residents. Representatives from HUD, HACM, the Westlawn Resident Council, and Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH) j

Westlawn Gardens and the Choice Neighborhood Initiative welcomed several groups of visitors to the neighborhood this month. Among the visitors, classes from Ripon College and Marquette University stopped by to learn about housing and urban policy, and colleagues from Marquette University and Near West Side Partners visited to discuss best practices to support their new Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant. It's always enjoyable to share the many great things happening in the ne

Residents and thousands of drivers who pass Westlawn Gardens daily have been witness to a dramatic transformation as acres of land have been cleared and new housing has started construction. Victory Manor, which will offer 60 1-bedroom apartments at N. 68th and W. Silver Spring Drive, is nearing completion, and construction has started on two 47-unit buildings just east of Victory Manor. In addition, the construction of 30 new town homes east of N. 64th Street has offered int

Historic Milwaukee's popular annual "Doors Open" tours of city landmarks came to Milwaukee's Northwest Side with a visit to Westlawn Gardens on September 22. Starting in the community gardens, participants enjoyed a walking tour of many of the highlights of the neighborhood, including the new Milwaukee Bucks/Johnson Controls Multi-Sport Complex, the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, MPL Express Library, healthy homes for people with respiratory illnesses, an innovative storm

Westlawn Gardens and all public housing across the nation are now smoke-free following a rule implemented nationally by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on July 30. To celebrate the change, the American Lung Association hosted a national press conference with city and state leaders in Milwaukee to highlight the many reasons why this rule will make a healthier environment for communities across the country. The rule will protect close to two million Americ

Westlawn Gardens was recently featured in a radio tour on Milwaukee Public Radio's Lake Effect to highlight unique features of the neighborhood and to promote Jane's Walk MKE. Jane's Walk is a movement based on the inclusive, community-driven neighborhoods approach championed by urban-activist Jane Jacobs. Fostering that spirit, Westlawn Gardens hosted a Jane's Walk on May 22nd. The walk introduced participants to the community gardens, Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, MPL

April marks the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, or financing of a house. Initially, the act banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, and it was later amended to include sex, disability and familial status. We embrace the spirit and practice of the Fair Housing Act to ensure that all people have equal access to housing. Fair housing makes our neighborhood and our city stron

Westlawn Gardens has been named the winner of the 2018 HUD Secretary's Opportunity & Empowerment Award by the American Planning Association (APA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). One of the highest honors in the planning profession, the award emphasizes how creative housing, economic development, and private investments have been used with a comprehensive community development plan to build social equity and empower individuals and families. Rea

Did you hear? Work on Westlawn Gardens is continuing to ramp up! Learn more about the various projects in this article from the Daily Reporter. #WestlawnGardens #Housing

Members of the CNI Educational Leadership team recently attended a Housing and Education Summit hosted by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) in Washington, DC. The Summit brought together over 135 attendees, and examined ways to strengthen cross-sector communication between housing and education, as well as to improve educational outcomes for low-income children and families. Milwaukee's CNI team led a small group discussion to share their local experienc