St. Catherine Residence in Milwaukee, WI

Pros

• Tamika and Kim are very helpful.
• St. Catherine's serves as a much-needed resource for the formerly unhoused population of Milwaukee, giving them independence and a fighting chance to have a safer and happier life.
• The staff is described as very helpful.
• It is a great place for women in need of housing.
• There is nothing like a second chance at life, and St. Catherine's is a beacon of light helping people get it right.
• Hope House is praised as an incredible organization for running the establishment.
• St. Catherine's provides resources to connect residents with the outside community to regain what they need to get their life back.

Cons

• The place is described as the worst place to live; four years there left residents mentally and physically worse off, with management seen as money-hungry and uncaring about tenants.
• The staff are said to gossip about residents in front of others and fail to protect the building's well-being, while drug use and bullying are enabled.
• The building is infested with roaches and bedbugs, partly because management wouldn't disclose pests or help with affordable laundry or cleaning.
• A dead body reportedly sat in an apartment for over a month because complaints about smells were ignored.
• There are alleged racial biases and favoritism by management, with abusive behavior defended rather than addressed.
• Safety concerns include incidents where a delivery driver was slapped and chased, and where money was lost due to front desk issues.
• A resident's belongings were tampered with and a car was nearly stolen, with management refusing to return money owed.
• The front desk is described as rude and unprofessional, with poor customer service and weak security measures.

Review

St. Catherine Residence in Milwaukee is best suited for women who are rebuilding stability after homelessness or abuse and who want a structured program that emphasizes independence and reintegration. The community presents itself as a stepping stone - offering private space, predictable routines, and connection to external resources to help residents regain self-sufficiency and a foothold in public life. For someone who can tolerate imperfect conditions while pursuing long-term goals, the program's emphasis on personal responsibility and self-support can be meaningful.

This is not the right choice for everyone. The residence operates as a women-focused housing resource with a history of management turnover and mixed reputations for safety and responsiveness. Families and individuals who need a consistently secure, well-maintained environment with highly predictable staff oversight should consider alternatives. Those who require stringent security, regular housekeeping, or a program free of drug activity and conflict will likely find the current climate challenging and may be better served elsewhere.

On the plus side, the program's core strength lies in provisioning access to housing as a bridge to independence, along with services that help residents reconnect with the broader community. Several staff members are noted for their willingness to help, and the structure itself can be a meaningful lifeline for someone facing homelessness. The promise of financial self-sufficiency and the chance to live in a space of one's own while receiving supportive resources can offset some concerns for residents who value opportunity and accountability over pristine conditions.

The downsides emerge clearly in many accounts: inconsistent or even hostile front-desk interactions, documented concerns about management and accountability, and troubling safety problems within the building. Reports describe drug activity and unstable residents, occasional violence, and theft, all of which contribute to a sense of vulnerability. Pest issues - bed bugs and roaches - along with odors and unaddressed cleanliness problems, further erode confidence in the environment. There are also claims of discriminatory behavior and inadequate responsiveness when complaints are raised, creating a climate where residents feel unheard and unsafe.

Given these realities, the key pros will offset the cons only for a subset of residents. For those who can leverage social services, stay engaged with staff, and tolerate a less-than-perfect physical environment while pursuing a path to independent living, the program can still be a meaningful catalyst. For others - especially those who place a premium on safety, consistent customer service, and a consistently clean, calm residence - the negatives will outweigh the potential gains. The balance tilts decisively toward alternatives that offer stronger oversight, better pest control, and more reliable staff responsiveness.

Families considering St. Catherine Residence should approach with clear, practical due diligence. Schedule multiple in-person visits at different times of day, speak with several current residents, and ask pointed questions about safety incidents, pest history, and how complaints were handled. Verify who currently operates the residence and request up-to-date documentation on cleanliness, security measures, and service provisions; inspect the facilities for pests, odors, and overall upkeep. Clarify cost structures, what services are included, and any eligibility requirements, so expectations align with reality. This community can be a pivotal stepping stone, but the decision requires a candid assessment of whether the benefits of independence and resource access can outweigh ongoing safety and quality concerns.

This neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a convenient and diverse area that offers easy access to various amenities. With multiple pharmacies within close proximity, including Metro Market Pharmacy, CVS Pharmacy, and several Walgreens locations, residents have easy access to healthcare services. In addition, there are a variety of dining options nearby such as Glorioso's Italian Market, Casablanca, and Harbor House for those who enjoy eating out. The neighborhood also boasts several parks like Red Arrow Park and Lakeshore State Park for seniors looking to enjoy the outdoors. For those who require medical care, there are hospitals like Aurora Sinai Medical Center and Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph Campus within a short distance. Overall, this neighborhood provides a convenient and accessible living environment for seniors.

Pharmacies

• Metro Market Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)

Restaurants

• Glorioso's Italian Market (0.4 miles)
• Casablanca (0.5 miles)
• Elsa's On the Park (0.5 miles)
• Jamo's (0.5 miles)
• Shah Jee's Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Harbor House (0.7 miles)
• Swingin' Door Exchange (0.9 miles)

Parks

• Red Arrow Park (0.6 miles)
• Lakeshore State Park (0.7 miles)
• Henry Maier Festival Park (1.4 miles)
• Paliafito Park (1.9 miles)
• Kern Park (2.5 miles)
• Atwater Park (3.2 miles)
• Estabrook Park (3.6 miles)

Cafes

• Colectivo Lakefront (0.7 miles)
• Colectivo Coffee (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Hawthorne Coffee Roasters (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)

Transportation

• Milwaukee Intermodal Station (1.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Aurora Sinai Medical Center (1.5 miles)
• Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph Campus (4.3 miles)
• Aurora St Luke's Medical Center (4.8 miles)
• Aurora Psychiatric Hospital (5.6 miles)
• Froedtert Pavilion (6.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Honey Creek Church (6 miles)

Physicians

• Froedtert Clinical Cancer Center (6.3 miles)