March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments and resilience of women who have shaped our lives and communities. For Cassandra Roberson, the story of perseverance, resourcefulness, and family ties is woven into the very walls of her home at. It’s not just a house—it’s a testament to generations of strong women…

Continue Reading The Strength of Generations: How Two Women Save Their Family Home

On June 2nd, 2024, the Venne family faced the loss of their beloved grandmother, Olivia “Grandma O” Venne. A woman of remarkable strength, independence, and selflessness, Grandma O lived a life that defied societal norms. From an early age, she carved her own path, never conforming to expectations. Whether sewing clothes for those in need…

Continue Reading Honoring Grandma O: A Legacy of Selflessness and Community Care

Meet Berdina Howard, a proud alumna of Acts Housing’s Power Pack, whose journey to homeownership is nothing short of inspiring. Berdina faced significant challenges along the way, from bankruptcy and a low credit score to the difficulty of budgeting effectively. But what sets her story apart is how she turned those obstacles into stepping stones,…

Continue Reading Equipped with Knowledge: How Berdina Howard Overcame Obstacles and Became a Homeowner

Homeownership is often seen as a final destination, but it’s truly a journey filled with growth, learning, and empowerment. This homeownership ‘journey’ we often talk about is complex. Budgeting, research, emotional ups and downs – for many families giving up is a viable option. For Daron and Nahona Moore, there were moments when their process…

Continue Reading Empowerment Through Homeownership: Embracing the Journey

The First Step to Forever For Maria, the path to homeownership seemed daunting, as she and her partner struggled to save enough money amidst rising expenses. They had tried to save before but found it difficult to maintain consistent progress. “The dream has always been there,” Maria shared. “But with so many expenses, it was…

Continue Reading Staying Committed to the Homeownership Journey Despite Life Getting in the Way

Meet April & Jorge Mathews, a Milwaukee couple who transformed their dream of homeownership into reality with the help of Acts Housing. Rising Rents Push Milwaukee Couple to Buy Home In August of 2022, April and Jorge were renting on the south side of Milwaukee. Facing rising rent prices, they knew they needed a more…

Continue Reading Building a Foundation: The Mathews’ Path to Homeownership with Acts Housing

The American Dream Deferred: Challenges in Traditional Lending The American Dream of homeownership often seems just out of reach for many families. For the Harris family, this was a harsh reality. Burdened by debt, low credit, and a bankruptcy on their record, the traditional path to homeownership felt like a distant, unattainable goal. Repeated setbacks…

Continue Reading Breaking Down the Barriers: The Harris Family’s Journey to Homeownership

Happy Juneteenth! Today honors the day in 1865 when the last remaining slaves were notified of the end of America’s Civil War and learned that they were free. This was two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation officially ending the war. On Juneteenth, we celebrate a significant turning point for freedom and equality…

Continue Reading Juneteenth: A day for celebration and reflection

Knowledge is power, yet very few people have ever been taught about the homebuying process. Navigating the intricacies of the housing market can be a challenge, particularly for first-time buyers. Building credit, eliminating debt, the pre-approval process, and down payments can be daunting topics to explore. Drawing on past generations’ wisdom can unlock unique advantages…

Continue Reading How Generational Knowledge Paves the Path to Homeownership

“Homeownership means new memories and a sense of pride that I worked so hard to get to this point. And a foundation for your children – they follow what they see. They saw I did it as a single mom of six kids and they can do it too.” Kimberly Weathers, a single mother of…

Continue Reading Perseverance Pays Off: Mom of Six Secures Her Family’s Future

Lisa Brooks had long harbored the dream of owning a home. “My credit just wasn’t good enough” she admits. Despite years of diligent research into homeownership, credit challenges had continually thwarted her aspirations. In 2022, a significant rent increase became her turning point. She knew something had to change when these increases continued, and the…

Continue Reading Renter to Rehabber: Lisa Brooks Finds Her Dream Home with Acts Housing

Xavier Shands has been the go-to guy for all of Gorman and Company’s maintenance needs on rental properties for over 6 years. Picture this: a man who has dedicated his career to tending to other people’s living spaces now embarks on a journey to transform his very own “piece of America”. Xavier has repaired and…

Continue Reading Xavier Shands: Homeownership and Neighborhood Stability

At Acts, we’re not just talking about determination; we’re celebrating it. It’s that unwavering commitment to achieving goals, even in the face of challenges that defines the families that work with Acts Housing.  Take the remarkable Melody Jones, a member of the Acts family and a first-time homebuyer. Armed with determination that could move mountains,…

Continue Reading Melody’s Story: A Testament to the Incredible Strength That Lies Within Our Community

Potential homeowners often start their search for their dream home with a list – non negotiables that their dream home must have; two bedrooms with a garage, duplex and a fenced yard, a safe neighborhood and good schools. Eric Wells’ list included a home that was safe and easy to access for his wife. Eric’s…

Continue Reading Finding the Right Home With the Acts Homebuying Team Behind You 

Charlicia, or Char, Brown lived in the Metcalfe Park neighborhood with her three boys for 12 years. Char rented her home since 2011, until she realized, through a unique partnership between the City of Milwaukee, WHEDA, Urban league, Gorman Properties and Acts Housing she had the opportunity to buy the home she raised her children in.…

Continue Reading Renting to Owning: 12 years in Metcalfe Park

Milwaukee, like many communities across the country, is experiencing a shortage of affordable housing. Out of state predatory investors are taking over entire neighborhoods of Milwaukee. They are buying up large swaths of single-family homes and turning them into permanent rentals. Families of low-to-moderate income (LMI) are increasingly rent burdened and forced to make impossible…

Continue Reading Renting to Home Rehab: Idella Samuels Journey

Since 1995, over 3,500 families have successfully become homeowners after using some or all of Acts Housing’s programs and services. According to a 2023 study* of property record data, Acts families have found long-term sustainability in homeownership.  Lower Foreclosure Rates Foreclosures are 45% lower among Acts families in Milwaukee than in the same neighborhoods overall.…

Continue Reading Sustainable Homeownership: Is the Acts model really working?

Cassandra Torres’s leaves renting behind, and becomes the first homeowner in her family.  Cassandra Torres, and her family were renters on Milwaukee’s North and South side for 17 years. “I lived in section 8 housing from age 5 to 22, then I went to college and started renting on my own.” She knows first hand…

Continue Reading A Journey Home: From Section 8 to Building Generational Wealth Through Homeownership

Kayra Jimenez is a great example of how stable housing has an immensely positive impact on individuals and families. Everyone deserves safe, stable, and affordable housing  As a young adult Kayra Jimenez left her home country of the Dominican Republic to live in the United States. She hoped to find more opportunity for advancement and…

Continue Reading Kayra’s Homeownership Journey: From Dominican Republic to Beloit, Wisconsin.

Sean and Veronica Chisholm’s unwavering commitment to achieving homeownership. In 1998, Sean Chisholm and his wife Veronica moved from Chicago, IL to Beloit, WI. Tired of the hustle and bustle of a large city, they sought out a fresh start for their family of six. When they made the move to Beloit, Sean made a…

Continue Reading A Promise Kept

The Acts team prides itself on making families our top priority and with that, ensuring that homeownership is not only possible but sustainable. Affordability is always the bottom line when families are securing a loan and purchasing their homes. The Hill recently published an article titled, “Housing Affordability Hits Historic Low” which highlights not only…

Continue Reading Is Affordable Homeownership Even Possible?

Acts Housing has launched a new social enterprise to outcompete predatory investors and increase housing inventory for owner occupancy. Milwaukee is losing 1,000 homeowners of Color every year, a pace that has persisted over the past decade. Families of low-to-moderate income (LMI) are increasingly rent-burdened and forced to make impossible tradeoffs that limit their ability…

Continue Reading We were born for this: Acts Homeownership Acquisition Fund