St. Catherine Residence

Pros

• It is described as a great place for women in need of housing.
• It is presented as a much-needed resource that gives independence and a fighting chance for a safer, happier life.
• Hope House is praised as an incredible organization that runs this essential residence.
• St. Catherine's is called a beacon of light helping women reclaim their lives.
• It is described as empowering women to reclaim their lives after abuse or drug issues, with resources to connect to the outside community.

Cons

• It is described as the worst place to live, with residents becoming mentally and physically worse off.
• The management is perceived as money-hungry.
• Staff allegedly talk about residents in front of others and show little concern for wellbeing.
• The residence is described as full of drug addicts and mentally unstable people needing care.
• Residents are paired with hostile roommates who attack them, with little police intervention.
• Roaches, bedbugs, and trash are present in the building.
• A dead body reportedly remained in an apartment for over a month due to ignored complaints.
• There are allegations of racial discrimination by a front office manager.
• Management allegedly defended a mother accused of abusing her child.
• Bed bugs persisted because management didn't warn residents, and many couldn't afford laundry or cleaning.

Review

A wide mix of voices describe St. Catherine's Residence and the surrounding housing programs in Milwaukee, revealing a complex picture: for some, the place is a lifeline and a doorway to stability; for others, it feels unsafe, poorly managed, and at times disrespectful or negligent. The threads weaving through the comments include concerns about cleanliness and pests, questions of safety, troubling experiences with staff and management, and a few strongly positive testimonies about the program's potential to help women move forward. Taken together, the feedback paints a landscape where the service can be transformative for some residents while profoundly challenging for others.

Many reviews foreground living conditions and day-to-day safety as central problems. Several readers report roaches and bed bugs, trash left in hallways, and general cleanliness issues that undermine dignity and comfort. There are specific and shocking anecdotes - one resident describes a dead body remaining in an apartment for over a month, which underscores how persistent complaints can go unheard and how serious odors and health concerns can become for people living in close quarters. Reports of attempted theft, a car being near-stolen outside the building, and encounters with aggressive or unstable residents also emerge, painting a picture of an environment that can feel unsafe or chaotic at times. These accounts contribute to an impression that even when the program is intended to be a safe haven, real-time conditions can fall far short of that ideal.

On the management and front-line staff side, respondents describe a spectrum of experiences that ranges from frustration to outright distrust. A common thread is the sense that money and administrative concerns overshadow the well-being of tenants. Some reviewers accuse staff of gossiping about residents, failing to protect privacy, or speaking about residents in ways that feel demeaning. Front desk interactions are repeatedly criticized for poor customer service, inconsistent security practices, and a lack of accountability. There are vivid allegations that frontline staff were unwilling to verify visitor information, mismanaged package deliveries, or otherwise treat residents with disrespect. A recurring call is for new leadership - explicitly a new property manager and, at a higher level, corporate accountability - to restore trust and establish consistent, respectful operations.

Substance use and associated crime also feature prominently in the comments. Several reviews speak of drug use and drug dealing within the building, and some allege that management or staff enabled or turned a blind eye to these activities. The presence of drug-related problems, coupled with personality conflicts and alleged bullying, appears to magnify tensions among residents and undermine the sense of safety and community that the program is supposed to foster. Some reviewers felt that concerns about drugs and safety were dismissed or inadequately addressed by upper management when they escalated to corporate offices.

Despite the harsh criticisms, there are notable positive voices that emphasize the program's intended mission and the real difference it can make. A number of reviewers describe St. Catherine's as a much-needed resource for formerly unhoused women, stressing its role as an opportunity to gain independence, regain stability, and move toward public life with space to heal. Some participants call it a stepping stone - an essential bridge that provided shelter, structure, and access to outside resources that helped them reclaim their lives. Several reviews highlight the program's overarching goal: to empower women, support recovery from abuse or addiction, and connect residents with services and community connections that can sustain longer-term change.

Change over time also appears in the comments. One major shift noted is organizational: after September 1, 2021, Mercy Housing reportedly stopped day-to-day operations of the women's residence, with Hope House taking over management. Reviewers who mention this transition describe mixed outcomes - some see continuity in purpose and benefits continuing under a new operator, while others warn that the lingering issues from prior governance did not vanish overnight and that new leadership faces the same pressures and challenges of serving a vulnerable population. The discussion also touches on broader societal dynamics, with some residents tying their critique of staff and administration to larger systemic issues such as racism and under-resourced social services, while others insist that the program remains a beacon of light that helps people rebuild.

In sum, the experiences encapsulated in these reviews reveal a program with real, positive potential for transforming lives, especially for women seeking shelter, stability, and a path away from homelessness or abuse. Yet the same sources emphasize serious, ongoing concerns: pests and cleanliness, safety risks, perceived managerial indifference or discriminatory behavior, inconsistent security and customer service, and the troubling presence of drugs within the building. The common call across the opinions is for stronger, more accountable leadership; for better front-desk procedures and security; for sustained attention to pest control and cleanliness; and for a compassionate, professional staff culture that treats residents with dignity and respect. The overarching takeaway is that while the program can be a crucial lifeline, it must address these concrete operational and safety issues to fulfill its mission reliably and equitably.

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)