MILWAUKEE — The City of Milwaukee’s Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) said it will “begin addressing complaints of residents related to [the] Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) properties” as of Monday, May 6. 

Two DNS inspectors were assigned to help HACM residents, according to DNS. HACM has more than 4,000 residences designated for low-income families, seniors and disabled adults in Milwaukee.

“We appreciate the patience of HACM residents who have waited for DNS to become more involved with their building concerns,” said DNS commissioner Jezamil Arroyo-Vega. “Now, with dedicated staff, we look forward to ensuring they live in safe housing.”

“This is a historic day. For 80 years, HACM has skated under DNS’ inspection radar — leaving thousands of residents without recourse when HACM has ignored them,” said Kevin Solomon, associate organizer with Common Ground.

The City of Milwaukee Common Council’s steering and rules committee passed an ordinance in Sept. 2023 that granted DNS oversight of HACM property inspections. This came after multiple resident complaints. The Common Council passed the legislation, but required DNS to fill staff vacancies before assigning two dedicated HACM inspectors. After DNS filled those vacancies, two internal candidates took on the inspector positions.

DNS said it has already responded to some safety concerns at HACM properties, including lack of heat in units during cold temperature months.

DNS said HACM residents should contact property managers with any complaints. If property managers are not responsive, HACM residents should then call the Unified Call Center at (414) 286-CITY or submit a complaint online at city.milwaukee.gov/ucc/action.com. Any complaints that fall under DNS jurisdiction would then be sent to the inspectors.

“We kept at it for a year, and it paid off. Now we begin educating residents about DNS, what types of complaints to call in, and how to do so,” said Roye “Chris” Logan, resident president at Mitchell Court, in a statement.