Rehabilitation of Historic Milwaukee Soldiers Home into Veterans Housing Honored by the ACHP and HUD

December 22, 2021  

Rehabilitation of Historic Milwaukee Soldiers Home into Veterans Housing Honored by the ACHP and HUD

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), in partnership with HUD, recognizes developers, organizations, and agencies for their success in advancing the goals of historic preservation while providing affordable housing and/or expanded economic opportunities for low-and moderate-income families and individuals.

On December 15, 2021, HUD and ACHP announced the Milwaukee Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the recipient of the 2021 ACHP/HUD Secretary's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and development project manager for The Alexander Company Jonathan Beck accepted the award during a ceremony at the Milwaukee Soldiers Home, located on the grounds of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. Dating back to 1867, the Milwaukee Soldiers Home is one of the earliest branches of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, established by Congress and President Abraham Lincoln to care for volunteer Union soldiers disabled during the Civil War. The historic buildings on the campus, which include Old Main, the Administration Building, the Catholic Chaplain's Quarters, and three duplexes, had fallen into disrepair after being vacant for 20 years. Using the Department of Veterans Affairs' Enhanced-Use Lease Program, The Alexander Company and its partners preserved historic design features and rehabilitated these buildings into 101 housing units for veterans and their families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The project was completed in March 2021. The Milwaukee Soldiers Home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.

You can find more information on the 2021 ACHP/HUD Secretary's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation winning submission on HUD User's Historic Preservation Award page and in this recent PD&R Edge In Practice article.

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