For Immediate Release:
MILWAUKEE, WI (October 25, 2019) –
Data You Can Use and Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute announced at Milwaukee Data Day on Tuesday, October 22nd, that Walnut Way Conservation Corporation is the winner of the Data Dream contest. The award will provide $5,000 in data services to gather data around housing challenges and displacement in the rapidly developing neighborhood of Lindsay Heights.
Milwaukee Data Day is an annual gathering for community stakeholders, organizations, and residents, with experts that share best data practices for supporting community-based work. Walnut Way’s Executive Director, Antonio Butts, was among three finalists that presented at Milwaukee Data Day to compete for the award. “This funding is integral to our mission-driven work by initiating data directed strategies to increase resident led involvement in our rapidly developing commercial corridor and combat the threat of displacement in Lindsay Heights,” said Butts.
“By gathering this data we can understand the Lindsay Heights housing market, its current state and project future trends. We have some stories of neighbors being pushed out due to increased rents and changes in ownership, but we don’t know how often this is happening. This data grant will help shine light on all that we have and what we can work towards,” said Butts.
Walnut Way plans to utilize the data to inform its role in convening partners around affordable housing. More specifically, Walnut Way would focus on working with partners to expand access to secure homeownership, improve property conditions, and preserve quality affordable rental housing. Walnut Way will begin the data collection process in partnership with Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute in 2020.
