OLGA VILLAGE GRAND OPENING CELEBRATES NATIONAL MODEL
FOR SUSTAINABLE, AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING

November 10, 2010

Mayor Tom Barrett and Common Council President Willie Hines, Jr., joined Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Executive Director Antonio Riley and other dignitaries today in celebrating the grand opening of Olga Village, an innovative joint project between the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) and the United Community Center (UCC).  Olga Village is a landmark new housing community dedicated to providing environmentally sustainable and affordable living options for Milwaukee’s seniors.

The event also featured HACM Secretary Executive-Director Tony Perez; UCC Executive Director Ricardo Diaz; U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation Senior Vice President Lynn Craghead; future residents of the building; and Olga Valcourt-Schwartz, the building’s namesake. 

The new complex will provide 37 affordable apartments on the campus of the UCC at 722 W. Washington Street on the city’s south side.  Residents will begin moving in this month and will have access to the services of the UCC, providing an active, bilingual and culturally-enriched environment for seniors. 

“The City of Milwaukee and our Housing Authority are pleased to have partnered with the United Community Center in this project, helping to bring much-needed affordable housing for seniors to this neighborhood,” said Mayor Barrett.  “Olga Village is a great long-term investment, and it continues our united commitment to enhancing and strengthening the community.”

Designed by Uihlein Wilson Architects, Olga Village incorporates several “green” features to make it one of Wisconsin’s most environmentally-sustainable housing complexes.  The building utilizes 30 geothermal wells for heating and cooling, a 10,100 square foot green roof, highly-efficient heating and cooling technologies, sustainable materials, storm water management, and native plant landscaping.  Solar power is planned for 2011.  These features are anticipated to significantly reduce the building’s impact on the environment, produce lower annual energy costs and reduce storm water runoff into the city sewer system. Olga Village is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Housing Authority is pursuing LEED certification.

“Olga Village is the latest example of the Housing Authority’s efforts to create high-quality affordable housing that will stand the test of time, providing homes for Milwaukee’s most-vulnerable seniors as well as creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment,” said Common Council President and HACM Board Chair Willie Hines, Jr.  “We are grateful to the many partners on this project for helping to create this new model of sustainable living for seniors.”

Residents will enjoy access to community and supportive services through the UCC, including a senior meal program; social, recreational, and educational activities; arts and crafts, music, and cultural arts; transportation; and social services. In addition, the Housing Authority has worked with Independence First, an advocacy group for persons with disabilities, to provide accessible units that meet Americans with Disability Act, Fair Housing and Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards.  All units can be modified to those standards to better meet the needs of residents.

Olga Village stands next to the UCC-US Bank Village, which also provides low-income housing to seniors.  The two buildings will soon be connected via a new senior center.   

“The Housing Authority and WHEDA deserve all of the credit for once again demonstrating their ability to provide affordable, but high quality residential development for seniors who are most in need,” said Ricardo Diaz, UCC Executive Director.  “The Milwaukee community, and even the nation, should take notice of this innovative collaboration and development.”

The construction cost of Olga Village was supported by low-income housing tax credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and equity investment by US Bancorp Community Development Corporation.  Additional support, including stimulus funding, was provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City of Milwaukee, the Metro Milwaukee Sewerage District, WE Energies and Focus on Energy. 

Olga Village is named for Olga Valcourt-Schwartz, a former director of bilingual education for Milwaukee Public Schools and a former UCC board member. She has been involved with the UCC for over 30 years.

The United Community Center provides programs to Hispanics and near South side residents of all races and ages in education, cultural arts, recreation, community development and health and human services in an effort to help individuals achieve their potential by focusing on cultural heritage as a means of personal development.

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee provides safe, high-quality and affordable housing options to a diverse population of over 10,000 low-income families and elderly throughout the City of Milwaukee.  HACM further provides a wide range of educational, employment, and social services to enhance residents’ self-sufficiency.