MILWAUKEE — VIA Community Development Corporation (VIA CDC) has rehabbed homes across Milwaukee since 2008. Now, it's setting out to build. 

The nonprofit’s latest project will benefit first-time home buyers. 

JoAnna Bautch is the executive director at VIA CDC. She said the plan is to build 21 homes over the next few years. 

“Three of them are a part of a model home initiative, where we will build one in the Burnham Park neighborhood, one in the Washington Park neighborhood and one in the Amani neighborhood,” said Bautch.

VIA CDC said it wants to use the three initial houses to show communities how accessible and affordable the homes are. Then, crews will work on the next 18.

“These are going to be 1,100-square-foot homes and we’ll be selling them to the homeowner for $100,000,” said Bautch.  

She said homeownership rates have declined across Milwaukee; this project aims to be a part of the solution.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson said stable housing has a wide range of community benefits. 

“Good housing is associated with reduced crime,” said Johnson. “It’s associated with making sure we reduce school drop-out rates. It’s associated with good health and employment rates.”

Johnson said homeownership is the single greatest way working-class families can build generational wealth. This is something Bautch hopes will benefit new homeowners. 

“Housing is a fundamental human right,” said Bautch. “Everyone that wants it should have access to safe, affordable homeownership.” 

Bautch said this is the first step to ensure everyone can own their homes. The long-term goal is to build more homes like these in the future.

VIA CDC will work with the United Community Center (UCC) to find eligible homeowners. The UCC will offer first home buyer educational classes to them.