Milwaukee Home Repair Loans: STRONG Homes (2026)

How the rate and forgiveness scale with income

STRONG Homes is Milwaukee's main financing tool for home repairs, run through the Department of City Development's Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC). The interest rate depends on your income: households under 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) get 0% interest, with a deferred/no-payment option available for elderly (60+) or disabled borrowers, while households between 60% and 150% AMI pay 3%. Regardless of rate, up to $5,000 of the original principal (25%) is forgiven if you stay in the home for 10 years — a real incentive to use it for a home you plan to keep.

Eligibility and how to apply

• Property: owner-occupied 1–4 family property, citywide; assessed value at or below $290,000.
• Ownership: owned and occupied for 12+ months before applying.
• Standing: current on property taxes, mortgage, and utilities, or on an approved payment plan.
• Income: up to 150% AMI can apply, though funds are reserved for households under 80% AMI (2026 table: 1-person 60% AMI ≈ $45,540, 80% AMI ≈ $60,700, 150% AMI ≈ $113,800).
• Loan terms: $1,000–$25,000, 0% interest under 60% AMI or 3% from 60–150% AMI, up to a 15-year term.
• Forgiveness: 25% of original principal (max $5,000) forgiven via the "Homeownership Retention Credit" after 10 years of continued ownership.
• Apply: through the City of Milwaukee's NIDC — see city.milwaukee.gov/DCD/NIDC/STRONGloan.

Pro tip from our network contractors

If you're 60 or older, or have a disability, ask specifically about the deferred/no-payment option under the 0% tier — it's not automatic, and it changes your monthly obligation significantly.

Elsewhere in Wisconsin

See our Green Bay home repair loans guide if you're in northeast Wisconsin, and Wisconsin's statewide WHEDA loan program (up to $50,000, through participating banks) in our government home repair grants by state guide.