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Raymond Schmidt, executive director of Select Milwaukee (File photo by Heather Ronaldson)
Officials at Select Milwaukee, a 24-year-old counseling and service agency for new and existing homeowners, suspended most of its operations after the board of directors learned of an unexpected financial situation in late November, the organization’s board chairman said on Friday.
The board of Select Milwaukee also hired an outside certified public accountant to examine the financial records of the organization, which has an annual operating budget of roughly $1 million, Board Chairman Ian Bautista said.
“An unexpected financial position was brought to our attention,” on Nov. 20, Bautista said. “We are concerned with the financial position of the organization and are trying to act in the most responsible way we can.”
Bautista could not elaborate on the organization’s financial condition. He also could not give a timeline as to when more information would be made available or when the certified public accountant will give the board a picture of the Select Milwaukee’s financial situation.
“At this point, I don’t have clear answer,” he added.
Select Milwaukee has served Milwaukee homeowners and first-time home buyers since 1991 with financial counseling, foreclosure prevention strategies and energy efficient initiatives. The organization’s mission is to help Milwaukee residents achieve and maintain homeownership.
Bautista said the organization has suspended most operations except for helping close about a dozen mortgages for current clients. New clients are being referred to other homeowner organizations in Milwaukee.
“A handful of customers, who were suppose to close in November, successfully got across the goal line,” he said.
One staff member is currently working at Select Milwaukee and seven others have been furloughed, Bautista said.
Messages left for staff at the organization including Raymond Schmidt, the executive director, were not returned. Another board member reached on the phone said he was not at liberty to discuss the situation and referred the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service to Bautista, who also serves as executive director of the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative.
Hey is there anyway to contact select Milwaukee I took first home buyer classes with them
Yes I have been trying to contact them .
So am I
My son also took classes and would like to talk with someone.
Do anyone has Select Milwaukee’s number? I’ve been calling them for months because I need to pay back the grant and their phone number is busy all the time. If I don’t pay them, I will not be able to sell my house. Any help is greatly appreciated as I am out of the state. Thank you
They no longer exist.
Anyone gotten thru? I too have been calling with nothing but a busy signal. I have tried all my emails to them and have not been getting returns on those either
I was sent a letter a while back mentioning a group that would take over my loan for Select Milwaukee in Green Bay, I will have to find the letter and can post an update.
NeighborWorks Green Bay has taken on the servicing of some, but not all, of Select Milwaukee’s loan and grant customers. They can be reached at info@nwgreenbay.org
Thank you! I also found a phone number – 920 448 3075… Scott is the contact.
Hello, I’m a former employee at a national non-profit called NeighborWorks America, headquartered in Washington, DC. I departed before Select Milwaukee dissolved as a result of financial mismanagement. I worked directly with Raymond Schmidt, then CEO, and his staff on the Wells Fargo funded LIFT program for down-payment assistance.
If Scott, above, is certain that NeighborWorks Green Bay is assuming the servicing for the loans, I know that organization to be reliable and a great organization to manage your finances better than Select Milwaukee has done.
If all else fails, contact NeighborWorks America itself, and request to speak with someone who works on the LIFT program at 202-760-4000. Someone there will be able to provide another resource for insight, as they administer the funding on behalf of Wells Fargo.