Opportunity MKE

Opportunity MKE is a partnership housing mobility program with the goal of assisting households in accessing low-poverty, high-opportunity neighborhoods and communities.

ZIP CODE MATTERS!

Where children grow up matters! Opportunity MKE is part of a study to learn how to help families with Housing Choice Vouchers find housing in parts of metropolitan Milwaukee where their children have the best opportunity to thrive.

EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR FAMILY

A great neighborhood can change your life! Opportunity MKE helps families use their rent assistance voucher to move into Opportunity  Areas, diverse neighborhoods that offer quality housing & life-improving opportunities for your family.

LEARN about neighborhood choices & identify places where your family will thrive.

FIND homes in the neighborhoods that match your family's needs.

SUPPORT Make a good impression with landlords. Gain access to security deposit assistance.

Partners include Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council, Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Housing Authority and Waukesha Housing Authority.

 

What is high-opportunity and why is it important?

High-opportunity generally means neighborhoods with high performing schools, access to employment, low rates of violent crime, and access to other amenities like parks and grocery stores.

Research has shown that children from families that move from high poverty to high-opportunity neighborhoods are more likely to have significantly higher income, go to college, and less likely to be a single parent. Additional research shows mental and physical health benefits, like reduced rates of asthma, diabetes and obesity.
Family-moving-web

The first 2 years of Opportunity MKE will be part of a national study on housing mobility. What does that mean?

Essentially, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) families that enroll in Opportunity MKE have 50/50 chance of receiving the mobility services. Half of the families will receive mobility services and half will resume utilizing their Housing Choice Voucher as usual.

All eligible families that enroll in Opportunity MKE will receive a small gift card.

Opportunity MKE Program Benefits (Program Group):

  • Security deposit assistance for opportunity moves
  • Housing unit referrals in opportunity communities
  • Education on:
    • benefits of opportunity areas
    • rental /fair housing rights & responsibilities
    • strategies to overcome bad credit, eviction, and criminal background barriers
  • After the opportunity move, check-ins to troubleshoot issues regarding the housing units or landlord.

 

What can families expect if they contact Opportunity MKE?

Opportunity MKE staff will discuss the program and its services as well as answer any questions the family has. Then if the family is eligible AND interested in enrolling in the study, staff will begin enrollment.

What can families expect if they enroll in Opportunity MKE?

Enrollment includes an informed consent and a virtual coin toss to determine if the family will receive Opportunity MKE services OR maintain voucher without Opportunity MKE services).

Which families are eligible for enrolling in Opportunity MKE?

In order to be eligible for Opportunity MKE, families must be

  • interested in (or receptive to) moving, and:
    a. currently hold a Housing Choice voucher or
    b. have recently been selected from the PHA’s waiting list;
  • Must currently meet all HCV eligibility guidelines and be in compliance with all voucher program guidelines;
  • Families who are currently phasing out of voucher eligibility or in the process of other Termination actions cannot enroll in Opportunity MKE.
  • Must have at least one child at or below the age of 12,
  • Not currently reside in one of the project’s targeted high-opportunity areas (for existing voucher holders only).

For more information about Opportunity MKE, visit the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council.