Policies and regulations that restrict housing diversity increase the cost of building new housing and limit the types of housing available within individual neighborhoods. This can increase housing costs for everyone. Recent studies have found that housing growth can help slow rent within a region while not contributing to the displacement of existing residents.¹ When a housing market has limited supply, it is harder for everyone to find rental and homeownership opportunities.

The updates to Milwaukee’s Zoning Code recommended by Growing MKE are designed to remove barriers that perpetuate racial and economic segregation and will allow for a wider mix of housing types in ALL city neighborhoods. The recommendations aim to improve equity by increasing the amount of affordable and attainable housing for all.

Housing development helps grow the tax base which provides needed resources to support public services, parks, transit, and schools. And, there is room to grow – Milwaukee used to have 150,000 more people than it does today. This means that the costs of maintaining the city’s existing infrastructure are being spread across a smaller number of residents.

New growth and development where there is existing infrastructure will allow the City to invest in new neighborhood gathering spaces, safer streets, and other core services such as libraries. There is a direct correlation between housing density and tax base. The zoning districts that allow for more housing options generate significantly more tax base per acre. Additionally, the cost to build and maintain infrastructure (roads and utilities) and services (police and fire) are much more expensive when homes and businesses are spread apart.

Housing growth and development also lets more people live in neighborhoods with access to jobs, neighborhood shopping, and other amenities. Businesses thrive when they have access to employees and customers, and increasing housing diversity in neighborhoods can bring in those employees and customers.

Encouraging more housing development near commercial districts and transit corridors creates vibrant walkable environments – increasing quality of life. Transit-oriented development has been shown to help lower household transportation costs, increase access to jobs, and allow neighborhood residents to meet more of their day-to-day needs such as shopping, worship, and recreation, without relying on an automobile.^[1] Additionally, building design regulations can ensure new and renovated buildings support walkability, bikeability, and safety.

A stable, affordable, attainable, and safe home is essential for health and well-being. Every Milwaukee resident should have the right to live in housing that is healthy, dry, clean, maintained, adequately ventilated, and free from pests, contaminants, and other hazards. By ensuring our neighborhoods are walkable and bikeable, and have easy access to public transportation, parks and recreation, quality schools, family-sustaining jobs, healthy foods, and medical care – we reduce chronic disease, injury, respiratory disease, mortality, and mental health challenges.

Creating dense, walkable, and affordable neighborhoods also presents the opportunity to reduce health inequities by addressing environmental injustice, promoting food security, increasing access to stable housing, and improving access to healthcare in historically disinvested communities in Milwaukee.

As we face climate change, opportunities to make it easier for people to walk, use transit, and bike are critical to reduce the amount and impact of driving. Milwaukee’s Climate & Equity Plan recognizes that land use and transportation planning are directly linked to climate resilience. There is increasing consensus that compact urban neighborhoods with a mix of uses and housing choices are the most effective at reducing carbon emissions.^[1],[2]

Milwaukee is home to many highly walkable and vibrant neighborhoods and the Growing MKE recommendations will provide more options for residents to live in neighborhoods that are well-served by transit and near walkable business corridors. Our environmental impact can also be reduced through housing materials, building design, and encouraging housing where there is existing infrastructure.