Policy-Maker of the Year

Riley gives his heart for homes

Antonio Riley Executive director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority

With Antonio Riley at its helm, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority is earning a reputation as an agency willing to do whatever it can wherever it’s needed.

Racine Mayor Gary Becker said Riley and his organization are great partners for the city, which saw $47 million in tax credits and financing for 11 affordable-housing projects in recent years.

“They’re very proactive,” he said. “They don’t just sit back and hope things happen. They work with communities and try to understand what you’re trying to do.

“I can go to Antonio and say, ‘This is what I’m trying to do. Where can I plug WHEDA in as one of the tools in the tool kit?’”

Becker said Riley is willing to do “anything within reason to work with us to get projects done and to help the community.”

Tim Dixon, owner of Dixon Development in Milwaukee, said Riley’s continued support for economic development let his firm succeed in neighborhoods that are on their way up.

WHEDA’s tax credits and loan guarantees let Dixon lower construction costs and pass those savings on to business and residential tenants.

“We go into re-emerging markets, areas that are hopefully going in the right direction,” Dixon said. “A neighborhood is a combination of many things — ownership, rental, entertainment. Antonio is very committed to economic growth and redevelopment.

“He’s a visionary.”

Bishop Sedgewick Daniels of the Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee can back up that sentiment. Daniels worked with Riley on several projects.

First, was a multiunit complex for seniors. Now, the two are working to increase home ownership in the Milwaukee neighborhood around the church.

“We’re building a number of new homes on vacant lots and taking ones that are abandoned or blighted and turning those around to home owners rather than renters,” Daniels said.

Daniels sees this focus on home ownership as a way to build solid neighborhoods.

“For the total society, as a rule, if families are moving throughout the city month by month, they don’t have stabilized neighborhoods,” he said. “They need to have a common place, a secure and safe place they call home.”

With WHEDA’s help, Daniels said his group is creating a situation where people who are traditionally out of the home-ownership loop can buy homes. Those people are reaching that goal by using revolving loans, credit assessments and debt correction.

“We want to create a situation where people can become home owners,” Daniels said. “It contributes to the longevity of communities.

“When people in the community own their own homes, they take pride in the neighborhood, and it’s an opportunity for businesses to move in.”

Now, Daniels’ project is beyond the planning stage, he said. His group acquired some homes and started the rehabilitation process.

“We anticipate people will be able to occupy this year,” he said. “We’ve had ownership classes, debt correction classes and we’re aggressively moving forward. 2007 is just the beginning.”

Daniels credits Riley with seeing what can be done by working on the small and large scales.

“It’s through the leadership of Antonio and WHEDA working with people in the grass roots, like us,” he said. “It’s not just talking, but doing.”

By Janine Anderson