Housing authority helps residents tap their potential

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Under Tony Perez’s watch, the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee embarked in 2017 on a fairly out-of-the-ordinary attempt at encouraging diversity within its own ranks and outside its offices.

The All-Promise Resident Training Program, which is meant to help people overcome poverty, selects six resident to go through a nine-week job training, then work for the housing authority for up to 20 hours a week and as long as two years. They will also enroll in a post-secondary institution and receive a $2,000 scholarship and tuition reimbursement for up to $1,500.

But Perez, the agency’s executive director, emphasizes that he could not have brought the program to life by himself.

“This effort is the work of many, including those whose participation enhances their chances of a more stable economic life,” Perez said.

The idea for the program originated with Fernando Aniban, chief financial officer for the housing authority. Crystal Reed-Harding, human-resources director at the housing authority, worked on executing the plan, joining forces with LaQuanda Madison, owner of Excel Employment Solutions.

The housing authority considers the program an experiment, and hopes to carry out a similar one every year. That will be made possible in part by the authority’s work with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, which can help not only to raise money but also find business partners who can help track down job opportunities for participants.

So far, 12 people have gone through the program, including Kayla Grant, a student in business management at Milwaukee Area Technical College. She plans to open her own hair boutique.

“I’m honored to be part of this,” Grant said. “I just think it opened up a lot of doors I wouldn’t have been able to achieve on my own.”

Latisha Fowler, another participant, had been out of work for five years before she started going through the program, which eventually helped her get the experience she needed for the job she wanted.

“I really feel like a productive member of society,” Fowler said. “The program got me into a routine and working, and they’re here every step of the way. They didn’t just train us and push us through the door. … I’ve really been blessed with this opportunity.”