Student Legal Clinic

Dear Student Legal Clinic,

I have been working at Columbia/St. Mary's Hospital for two years while I am completing my associate degree. My husband just graduated as a welder and got a job. We see some very low priced houses and would like to buy. The banks say we need more of a down payment. Where can we get help with the down payment and with the home buying process?

Signed Vernice

Dear Vernice,

If you are looking to buy in Milwaukee, the City Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) may be able to help you. The neighborhoods included in the program have been expanded to include portions of the Sherman Park and Layton Boulevard West Neighborhoods.

In addition, the City of Milwaukee has started the NSP Dollar House Program. The City will sell a number of City owned homes for $1 to owner occupant buyers who will fix up these houses and live in them for 5 years.

For more information about these programs go to http://city.milwaukee.gov/Cityownedhousesforsale.htm

or http//city.milwauke.gov/DollarProgram.htm.

You can also call Karen Taylor at 414-286-5738.

You may also want to get help from a local non-profit housing agency such as:

ACTS Housing at 1445 N. 24th St., 414-933-2215,

CYD at 2601 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., 414-264-6888,

Housing Resources, Inc., 7830 W. Burleigh St., 414-461-6330,

Select Milwaukee, 2209 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.,

414-562-5070.

All of these agencies can advise you of programs to help you buy for your first home. Good luck and see you in the fall!