If you’re an early childhood educator, you might be eligible to purchase an affordable home.

Since October, local groups like the Community Development Alliance, Acts Housing and Habitat for Humanity have partnered to create homes for early childhood educators. Herb Kohl Philanthropies announced a $1 million gift to help fund the development of more.

“One of our mantras every day is ‘we love teachers,’ ” said JoAnne Anton, the foundation’s president, at an April 30 event at Malaika Early Learning Center in the Harambee neighborhood. “That includes early childhood educators. Unfortunately, the early childhood education sector is struggling.”

How it works

The three-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot homes are part of a 42-home development being built around five early childhood education centers.

The homes are exclusively for early childhood educators and will be sold for approximately $100,000 each.

What you need to apply

In order to apply, you must be an employee or owner of a licensed ECE provider; directly provide or supervise classroom instruction; earn $49,920 a year or less; and be a first-time homebuyer.

Applications also require homebuyers to take a homebuyer counseling course and receive a certificate, have a loan pre-approval letter and an employer letter.

Once homes become available, a lottery connects eligible educators with a home.

What to do if you have questions

Early childhood educators can email info@housingplan.org for more information on how to get started.

What are the costs?

The ECE homes are expected to cost from $250,000 to $300,000 to construct.

“We’re doing absolutely everything we can to bring down that cost because at the end of the day what early childhood educators can afford is a home that’s about $105,000,” said Teig Whaley-Smith, chief alliance executive with the Community Development Alliance.

A mix of public and philanthropic support is being used to fill the gap between the sale price and the construction cost.

What’s the role of Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity is stepping out of its usual model for this project.

Brian Sonderman, Milwaukee Habitat’s CEO, said the organization has data from more than 40 years of work to demonstrate the positive effects of stable homeownership on families and children, but more is needed to transform the city.

“We are investing in our next generation,” he said.

The group is working with emerging developer Oby Nwabuzor from Envision Growth.

“We all understand the importance of housing as a key social determinant and driver of health, and stable housing improves dropout rates, reduces crime, increases employment and leads to better health outcomes,” Nwabuzor said.

Herb Kohl Philanthropies’ contribution will be to aid in the development of eight homes for early childhood educators near Malaika Early Learning Center.

“We view our million-dollar contribution as an investment, one that’s vital to children, one that’s vital to families, the workforce and our future in Milwaukee,” said Anton.

For more information, visit Housingplan.org