Milwaukee has a population of over 500,000 people; with a city this size comes concerns about housing and services accessibility. While city leaders like Bauman and residential developer Gokhman are working to address these concerns, sometimes residents work to bridge the gap.
Listen the community leaders and Janet Sather, a resident who recently began a local organization, to what they are doing and what drives their mission to help the unhoused population in Milwaukee.
Transcript
*Sounds of the lake and seagulls*
I’m Matthew Gifford and welcome to Milwaukee, where the city is growing and prospective residents are in a housing crunch. Meet Robert Bauman, an Alderman from downtown who is committed to providing residents with an equitable city. His retention in focusing larger goals to the impacts on individuals shines through with his policy.
Bauman: “I think there’s a greater emphasis on equity and inclusion. I think there’ll be a big push to ensure that as we expand housing supply. A significant portion of that supply is affordable.”
Up next we have Boris Gokhman, a co-founder of a local development company. His passion for revitalizing neighborhoods for business and residents alike, drive him to provide safe housing, and safe communities through beautification and walkable cities.
Gokhman: “We’re looking for people to rent apartments, not just because it’s brand new, but because it’s a lifestyle and it’s an experience.”
Lastly, I spoke with Janet Sather, a compassionate resident and co-founder of the organization, “Friends-Without-Shelter”. Her organization is helping others by bridging the gap between the unhoused and access to city services.
Sather: “It’s really easy to walk by someone you classify as homeless, but it’s impossible to walk by a friend. Make them feel like they’re part of the community, even if they’re in a tent. It doesn’t matter. They’re here, they’re part of our community. Make them feel like they’re part of the community, even if they’re in a tent. It doesn’t matter. They’re here, they’re part of our community.”
At all levels of function: city, business and residents, everyone seems to come together as a community in times of need. It is said that Milwaukee runs on: beer, brats, and the Brewers, but I think Janet said it best:
Sather: “People here are very real.t’s very real, great Midwestern nice people. You know, it’s Wisconsin Nice.”
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