Governor Doyle Announces More Than $8 Million for Housing for Low-Income Seniors in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE, WI – September 9, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Jim Doyle today joined Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Executive Director Antonio Riley, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and community leaders for a ground breaking ceremony for Olga Village, a 37-unit housing development for low-income seniors on Milwaukee’s south side. The Governor announced a combination of tax credits and funding totaling over $8 million will be provided for the development.

“Affordable housing is important to providing a good quality of life for people in Wisconsin but it is also integral to a healthy economy,” Governor Doyle said. “These tax credits will help provide seniors with affordable housing options. The Recovery Act is helping us to create jobs and build vital infrastructure to meet the needs of people in Wisconsin and the state is proud to be part of this great effort.”

Olga Village is slated for completion in 2010 with a $8 million construction cost funded by a combination of $2.2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds administered by the Milwaukee Housing Authority and $5.88 million in low-income housing tax credits (non-ARRA) from WHEDA.

Olga Village will be constructed on the campus of the United Community Center (UCC), a non-profit organization that provides quality programs for Milwaukee’s Latino community. WHEDA is providing the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits toward the housing development.  The project will mark the state’s first usage of federal Recovery Act funds for public housing.

“UCC has been a strong and positive presence in Milwaukee’s Latino community for close to 40 years. For many future tenants, these senior apartments will give them the option to stay right here in the neighborhood where they raised their families,” said WHEDA Executive Director Riley. “We are excited to work the City of Milwaukee to provide new affordable housing for area seniors – all the while creating construction jobs when our economy needs them the most.”

The three-story Olga Village development will be constructed next to an existing 20-unit apartment complex for low income seniors on the UCC campus. The complex will consist of 27 one bedroom and 10 two bedroom units located on the north side of West Washington Street near South 8th street. Olga Village residents will have access to a meal program, social and recreational activities, transportation and various social services.

UCC’s campus includes the Latino Arts gallery, Cafe El Sol restaurant, the Latino Geriatric Center and an adult day care center.

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Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162