p. 35

2

In such a situation there is need for a creative solution and it would certainly not be unjust for Milwaukee to bring about open housing throughout the region by the use of its own powers. The purpose of this comment is to suggest how that might be done.

The first step, of course, is for the City to adopt an open housing ordinance affecting its own territory. The second step is to provide City assistance to those who need help in securing housing in the region outside Milwaukee. Such an ordinance would provide as follows:

1. Any responsible person who wants to secure housing in the Milwaukee region and who is reasonably unable to do so because of discrimination can enlist the aid of the housing department of the City of Milwaukee.

2. With the assistance of the person seeking housing, the City of Milwaukee will then identify properties that are on the market. Any property advertised for sale or listed for sale with a broker would be included.

3. The City will then purchase the property. If that cannot be done as the result of a voluntary sale, the City will exercise its extraterritorial power of eminent domain to acquire the property. A revolving fund will be established to provide the funds for this purchase or acquisition.

4. The City will then sell this property to the person seeking housing outright, or will sell the property on a land contract if it is necessary to retain ownership in the City.