What is the Housing Element?

The Housing Element (formerly known as Growing MKE) is the result of a citywide planning initiative to support Milwaukee’s evolving housing needs. The Housing Element is part of the City of Milwaukee's Comprehensive Plan and replaces the Citywide Policy Plan’s Housing & Neighborhoods Chapter.

We didn’t start from scratch... The vision and policies in our Comprehensive Plan are still relevant today and several recent planning efforts were incorporated. The Housing Element incorporates goals and recommendations from a number of recent housing-related planning efforts across the city to support implementation of policies and recommendations found in the Anti-Displacement Plan, the Collective Affordable Housing Strategic Plan (developed with the cross sector Community Development Alliance, and endorsed by the Common Council), and the City’s 14 Area Plans.

The Housing Element update to the Citywide Policy Plan includes new commitments and updates previous statements that reflect the housing choice Milwaukeeans desire. You can view the proposed Housing Element here.

Earlier drafts of the Housing Element were titled “Growing MKE.” The title was updated to align with changes in the plan, which better reflect the goals of meeting the housing needs of existing residents and neighborhoods, as well as those who will call Milwaukee home in the future.

Proposed Draft Plan & Adoption Process

Thank you to everyone who provided comments on the Draft Plan! We appreciate the time and thoughtful comments that Milwaukee community provided throughout this planning process.

The adoption process is underway. The Plan will need to be formally adopted as an ordinance by the Common Council.

1. The May 1, 2025 Draft Plan was reviewed and recommended for adoption at City Plan Commission (CPC) meeting on Monday, June 2, 2025 with a few adjustments based on feedback. To watch a recording of the CPC meeting click here.
2. Public hearing at Zoning, Neighborhood, and Development Committee (ZND) – details pending
   • ZND will review the updated proposed June 9, 2025 Final Draft of the Housing Element.
3. Adoption by the Common Council – details pending, pending recommendation from CPC and ZND

How can you offer feedback on the proposed Plan?

The Zoning, Neighborhoods, and Development Committee (ZND) will review the proposed plan update at an upcoming meeting. Meeting date and details are TBD. This website will be updated when meeting details are determined.

Questions about the Housing Element? Email growingmke@milwaukee.gov

Webinars (Recordings available)

Department of City Development staff hosted Informational Webinars about the Draft Housing Element for Milwaukee's Comprehensive Plan. Staff shared information on the plan, updates from the last draft, and supporting materials. After the presentation, staff answered questions. Presentation content was the same for both meetings.

• Wednesday, May 7th, 6:00 - 7:00pm - Recordings of the presentation portion of the meeting are available below or on our YouTube Channel. Full recordings of the meeting (presentation and Q&A) are available on the YouTube Channel and on the Past Events page.
• Tuesday, May 13th, 6:00 - 7:00pm - A full recording of the meeting (presentation and Q&A) is available in English on the YouTube Channel and on the Past Events page. The presentation was the same for both meetings.