In 2025, the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, or HACM, was placed on a recovery plan by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development following problems with data integrity, compliance and management.
In 2026, HACM continues to recover, aiming to fix long-standing problems, rebuild trust with residents and stabilize agency leadership.
Amy Hall, communications director for HACM, discussed the agency’s recovery plan with NNS.
“The plan is designed to address systemic issues, establishing clear processes, improving data integrity and making sure we’re fully compliant with (U.S. Housing and Urban Development),” she said. “In a lot of ways, we’re rebuilding the foundation of the agency.”
Challenges remain
According to Hall, HACM is “flying the plane as we’re building it.”
The recovery plan runs through the end of 2026.
Hall said the HACM Board of Commissioners, which is made up of mostly new members, has been deeply involved in the recovery effort. She said the board is committed to improving transparency and accountability, which residents have been rallying for.
“There is no longer ‘we are going to hide things and sweep it under the rug,’” said Ald. Sharlen Moore upon becoming a commissioner on the board.
Cornelius Sawyer, president of Highland Gardens and a Section 8 voucher holder, said he thinks HACM is trying to be more transparent.
“But I’ll believe it when I see a legitimate grievance policy,” Sawyer said.
One of the most noticeable changes at the Housing Authority has been expanded opportunities for public input. Every board meeting now includes a public listening session, allowing residents and community members to speak directly to commissioners.
“That was a pretty big sticking point previously,” Hall said. “From where we were a little over a year ago, we’ve made a lot of progress, and a big part of that is the board’s commitment to hearing directly from residents.”
Social services for residents
Beyond housing operations, the authority continues to support a range of resident services through partnerships and grant-funded programs.
According to Sawyer, who has utilized some programs, they are helpful but should be promoted as many residents don’t know about them.
At several high-rise developments, including Locust Court and Arlington Court, Lutheran Social Services provides service coordination for elderly and disabled residents. Social workers help residents navigate Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other programs as well as access everyday needs like dental care.
HACM also has a long-running partnership with the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp., or WWBIC, which offers the “Make Your Money Talk” program, a financial literacy initiative open to public housing residents and Section 8 voucher holders.
Hall said other programs offered at HACM are federally funded and only last so long. One was the Jobs Plus program that allowed residents to increase earnings without immediate rent increases.
The program helped participants build savings while improving employment outcomes.
The program ended when a federal grant expired, highlighting a broader challenge with federal funding cycles.
“You see programs that really work,” Hall said. “It’s frustrating when you can’t keep them going or expand them because priorities change at the federal level.”
Staffing remains a major focus
HACM is currently searching for a permanent secretary-executive director to replace interim leader Ken Barbeau, who has served in the role since January 2024. The board recently received five finalist candidates from a search committee and is expected to meet again soon to determine the next steps.
Several other positions are also open, including chief financial officer, chief operating officer, maintenance staff and property managers. Job listings are available at hacm.org/jobs.
Hall noted that the Housing Authority’s public housing waiting list and project-based voucher waiting lists are currently open.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Hall said. “But we’re headed in the right direction.”
How to get involved
Community members interested in supporting residents are encouraged to connect through HACM rather than directly contacting resident councils, whose information is not public.
Hall said inquiries can be sent to communications@hacm.org, where staff can route them appropriately.
Residents with concerns or service needs are encouraged to call the Housing Authority’s main office at 414-286-5824.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
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