Jewish Family Services will address affordable housing needs in Milwaukee County with the development of affordable apartment homes in the Village of Brown Deer
Milwaukee, December 5, 2022 – Jewish Family Services (JFS) has been awarded a $2 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant from Milwaukee County and the Community Development Alliance. A total of $15 million in federal ARPA funds were available to Milwaukee County for gap financing of affordable housing projects in suburban communities.
This ARPA grant is the first step in plans by Jewish Family Services to develop an affordable and supportive housing community and is contingent on the future award of Low Income Housing Tax Credits from WHEDA. With these awards and additional philanthropic support, Jewish Family Services plans to increase affordable housing opportunities in the Village of Brown Deer with 56 new apartments. Of that total, 14 will be reserved for individuals with disabilities and the remainder for households with members with or without disabilities. Upon completion, the apartment community’s daily operations will be managed by JFS Housing, Inc. (JFSHI), a subsidiary of Jewish Family Services,
“JFS is proud to partner with Milwaukee County and the Community Development Alliance to develop affordable housing in the Milwaukee County suburbs,” says John Yopps, President and CEO of Jewish Family Services, “We know that stable housing is the foundation of health and well-being for all people. For years, JFS has provided a wide range of community-based social services in Milwaukee County. Our model of affordable housing with on-site supportive services will provide persons with and without disabilities an opportunity to thrive in a beautiful new housing community.”
This new development will be located adjacent to an existing site of 210 units at Bradley Crossing, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Residences at Bradley Crossing and Deerwood Crossing Senior Residences in Brown Deer, WI.
About Jewish Family Services:
Founded in 1867, Jewish Family Services, Inc. is one of the oldest nonprofit organizations in the state of Wisconsin. We serve nearly 2,500 individuals annually, including children, seniors, adults with disabilities, mental health, substance use disorders and families with low household incomes. Our programs include mental health and counseling services, private pay and contract-based case management services, social services, assisted living services and affordable and supportive housing. Our service area includes Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee Counties.
JFS Housing, Inc. (JFSHI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Jewish Family Services, was created to develop affordable and supportive housing. Our service model has been highly effective in promoting a welcoming and inclusive residential environment in which adults, families and children with and without disabilities can live together, develop meaningful relationships and build a strong sense of community without stigma, fear of discrimination, isolation and vulnerability experienced in community settings that publicly label and physically segregate persons with disabilities. This model for successful integrated housing serves as a highly visible example of accessible quality living options that allow individuals with disabilities and families with low household incomes to thrive and remain anchored in communities of their choosing.