On Saturday, January 18, 2014 the term ‘open house’ was taken literally by the Ezekiel Community Development Corporation (ECDC) as the not-for-profit corporation officially unlocked the doors and displayed its first fully renovated and refurbished home. The open house, held at 5053 N. 83rd St. on Milwaukee’s northwest side transformed an unoccupied foreclosed property into opportunities for job creation, affordable housing and stable neighborhoods as part of Ezekiel’s innovative approach addressing multiple urban issues. It will showcase the craftsmanship and quality features entirely performed by minority contractors on the single family residence. Purchased from the City of Milwaukee, the remodeled home will be sold at an affordable market price with all profits reinvested to purchase additional homes where the process will be repeated.
Backed by Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH), Ezekiel Community Development Corporation is supported by contributions from individual donors, companies, foundations and faith-based organizations.
Pictured at the event are Mayor Tom Barrett, ECDC founder and president Don Utech; ECDC director and Pyramid Electric president Jim Gaillard; and ECDC PR volunteer Steve Johnstone.