Milwaukee, June 2, 2025 – As it marks its 30th anniversary, nonprofit Acts Housing today announced the launch of the final phase of its $26.4 million Opening Doors Campaign. The nonprofit provides homebuyer and financial education and counseling, lending and real estate services, and home rehab coaching.
With $22.3 million raised since 2019, Acts enters the public phase of this transformational fundraising campaign designed to reshape the local housing landscape and expand home ownership opportunities, especially for families with low to moderate incomes. Campaign contributions will support the nonprofit’s revolving loan and acquisitions funds, both of which will become self-sustaining after the campaign’s conclusion.
“For 30 years, Acts Housing has been a trusted partner helping families overcome the greatest barriers to home ownership, including income, credit and language,” said Acts Housing President & CEO Michael Gosman. “But the dwindling supply of affordable homes available to first-time buyers is one of today’s greatest challenges.”
The Opening Doors Campaign addresses this issue by providing a sustainable investment that allows Acts Housing to compete with predatory investors to preserve affordable housing inventory, empower families to reclaim and restore distressed properties, and convert investor-owned rentals back into owner-occupied homes.
“The impact of this investment is far reaching including building generational wealth through home ownership, enhanced physical and mental well-being for families, improved educational outcomes for children, and much more,” Gosman said. “Every dollar raised and invested helps build stronger families, healthier neighborhoods, and a brighter future for Milwaukee.”
Thirty Year Impact
Since its founding in 1995, more than 4,000 families have purchased homes through Acts Housing and 70% of them still own their original home. Almost all (90%) remain owner-occupiers, a crucial indicator of neighborhood stability. Further, foreclosures are 45% lower among Acts families in Milwaukee than in the same neighborhoods overall. Acts families have also reclaimed and rehabbed nearly 1,000 foreclosed properties, investing nearly $400 million in their new homes and communities.
In 2024, Acts reported 310 owner-occupied sales with women “Heads of Household” representing 65% of those new homeowners. Additionally, more than half (53%) of last year’s home sales were to Black families.
“We celebrate these dedicated families who were determined to make their home ownership dream a reality,” Gosman said. “And, we are immensely grateful to Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, our Campaign Cabinet leadership and major donors, and the community leaders, businesses, foundations, partners, and individuals that share our mission and vision of empowering families and creating vibrant communities through homeownership.”
“In honor of Acts Housing on its 30th anniversary and the support they’ve provided to thousands of local families in pursuit of their homeownership dreams, the City of Milwaukee proclaims June 2, 2025, as Empowerment through Homeownership day,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “Together with their homeowner families, Acts Housing’s is leaving a generational impact for our neighborhoods.”
“Our shared vision for Milwaukee County includes expanding equitable access to safe, quality, and affordable housing and homeownership opportunities. By working with partners like Acts Housing, we’re witnessing progress in advancing this ambitious goal,” added County Executive David Crowley.“Acts Housing’s legacy of success demonstrates what’s possible when the public, private, and non-profit sectors partner to solve our region’s most pressing challenges. By supporting Acts Housing and investing in their mission, we’re investing in local families and fostering stability, resiliency, and health.”
Both the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County have made significant contributions to the Acts Housing Opening Doors Campaign. Learn more about the Campaign and donate here.
In addition to its Milwaukee location, Acts Housing also has an office in Beloit which opened in 2019.
