Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, a local social justice organization, wants people in the community to understand the city’s plan for the future of housing and zoning, including those who have a criminal record.
The plan has been in development since 2023, with the goals of creating more housing, achieving more housing equity and updating zoning policy.
Metcalfe Park organizers say they want more engagement with the community.
For example, those who operate certain affordable housing mentioned in the plan are allowed to disqualify applicants with different convictions on their record.
“If this plan is just saying that we want to build housing … and is not addressing policies that actually x a certain population out, then what are we doing?” said Melody McCurtis, deputy director and lead organizer for Metcalfe Park Community Bridges.
A teach-in
On Sept. 7, City of Milwaukee Department of City Development staff, including Lafayette Crump, the department’s commissioner, attended a teach-in organized by Metcalfe Park Community Bridges. The department is committed to engaging the community to help shape the future of Milwaukee together, said a department spokesperson.
Metcalfe Park Community Bridges will be updating its Facebook and Instagram accounts with news about future events related to the city’s plan.
Here are pictures from the teach-in:
Organizers with Metcalfe Park Community Bridges organize final details before the day's presentation begins. (Photo by Devin Blake)
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