MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A $3 million investment from Milwaukee County is helping an affordable housing project move forward in South Milwaukee. 

The housing will be built on the former site of Bucyrus-Erie, a former manufacturer with a 120-year history in the city. 

The $50 million project will redevelop three former office buildings and build one new one. 

Some units will be set aside specifically for veterans. 

County Executive David Crowley says housing is a matter of public health, a focus of his administration. 

"We've been quite intentional about bringing these investments particularly to our Milwaukee County suburbs, where racial disparities in housing and homeownership continues to persist, really preventing many folks from living in the neighborhoods of their choice," said County Executive Crowley.

The county's $3 million investment is coming from federal American Rescue Plan Act funding.