Neighborhood Improvement Program

The City of Milwaukee's Neighborhood Improvement Project (NIP) assists eligible owner occupants in repairing their homes. All repairs are based upon municipal building code violations, lead hazard reduction, health and safety concerns. NIP is not a remodeling program. The repairs are authorized by the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) and funded by the Community Development Grants Administration (CDGA).

To be considered for NIP program eligibility, homeowners must meet the guidelines listed below:

Homeowner Eligibility Guidelines *
Must be the owner-occupant of an single family or duplex
Must have owned and occupied the subject property for a minimum of five (5) years
Must have a household income at or below 50% of the County median (as determined annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development )
Must reside within one of the 18 Neighborhood Strategic Planning (NSP) areas for the City of Milwaukee (the Community Development Block Grant area) – see map
Must be current on all property taxes, mortgage and utility payments
Must have current homeowners insurance
Have not received prior NIP (or Home Rehabilitation) assistance from the City of Milwaukee

Property Eligibility Guidelines *

There is a maximum cost cap for properties that participate in the NIP program. Extremely distressed properties may not qualify.
There is also a minimum cost for required work. If your home is in relatively good condition and has no critical code violations, your property may not be eligible for this program.
* Additional eligibility requirements may apply

If you are accepted into the NIP program the following terms will apply:

Owners must sign legal documents at the time of application agreeing to remain the owner occupant for a minimum of five (5) years or throughout the period of affordability (per HUD guidelines)
All required work as outlined by DNS must be corrected including both maintenance and mechanical items. Properties must be code compliant once NIP work is completed.
A portion of the work performed (maintenance work, lead work) is done as a forgivable loan secured by a Covenant Document. For single family properties, the cost of maintenance work is forgiven 5 years after the Covenant has been signed. For owner-occupied duplexes, the cost of maintenance work is forgiven after the Period of Affordability requirements have been met (details will be provided by your NIP agency).
Mechanical work (electrical, plumbing, heating, masonry) is done as a 0% interest Deferred Payment Loan (DPL) secured by a Mortgage. The cost of mechanical work must be repaid. DPL loans are repaid to the City when you sell your property or cease to be the owner occupant.

NIP Agencies

Applicants must apply through one of the six (6) community-based NIP Agencies. You may apply to one agency only, so please select the agency closest to your home.

Gibraltar Development of Milwaukee Corporation
6915 West Capitol Drive Suite 201
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53216

(414) 393-0402

Harambee Ombudsman Project NIP
2774 North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212

(414) 264-7822

Milwaukee Christian Center NIP
1223 South 23rd Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204

(414) 643-7704

Social Development Commission (SDC) NIP
931 West Madison Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204

(414) 385-1125

West End Development Corporation
40 North 23rd Street Suite 153
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233

(414) 933-2080

YMCA Community Development Corporation NIP
1350 West North Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53206

(414) 374-9441

Note: You may participate in the NIP program one time only.

If you have received previous service through the NIP program or another federally funded city home repair/home loan program, you may not be eligible.

NIP Service Area Map

NIP Service Area Map

Last Updated 11/16/07