Self Help Homeownership in Milwaukee

House being reconstructed and rehabilitated

A reconstructed house

Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) assisted housing under construction on the south side of Milwaukee by South Community Organization (SCO). Funding is provided through the Wisconsin Association of Self Help Executive Directors (WASHED). The City of Milwaukee CDBG and HOME are also involved in many of the properties under construction and rehabilitation on South 38th and 39th Streets.

The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program enables families to become homeowners with an investment of "sweat equity" - contributing their own labor to help with such tasks as painting, landscaping, carpentry and roofing. HUD grants provide subsidies averaging $10,000 to lower the price of each home. Families unable to afford a home and having incomes below 80 percent of the area median income are eligible to receive HUD assistance under SHOP.

A recent reconstructed house

A recent reconstructed house