Press Releases

(Washington, DC)— Today, U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) applauded Housing Secretary Shawn Donovan’s announcement that the City of Milwaukee will receive $25 million included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help improve neighborhoods by fixing properties left vacant due to foreclosure.

An additional $11 million is expected to be used in Milwaukee by Habitat for Humanity, which received a total of $137 million for projects nationwide.

Recent reports show that Wisconsin had a record number of foreclosures in 2009 and foreclosures in Milwaukee County increased by nearly ten percent from 2008.

Congresswoman Moore said, “Too many neighborhoods in Milwaukee have been hurt by foreclosures, leaving homes abandoned or even falling apart.  This funding will help the city go directly into neighborhoods hit hardest and reduce blight by fixing these properties.”

These funds are part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and help communities stabilize housing markets by purchasing and redeveloping foreclosed and abandoned properties.  Foreclosures not only weaken property values and the housing market, they can devastate neighborhoods and increase blight and crime.

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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact David Frey at 202-225-4572.