MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County leaders took another step in addressing the affordable housing crisis here in our hometowns Thursday.

They were joined by volunteers for the annual" Into the Streets" program. Throughout the day and week, county employees are being asked to volunteer at local community organizations. One of those organizations is Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. 

The county has long partnered with the group, leading to the development of more than 100 homes across Milwaukee County.

Thursday's day of service involved helping build a new home for a future first-time homeowner in the Midtown neighborhood. 

“Growing up in Milwaukee, my family was forced to move often, and it really taught me the importance of having access to stable, safe, and affordable housing. That’s why I’m doing everything I can to ensure Milwaukee families and children have permanent housing and the support they need to thrive,” said County Executive Crowley. “I am proud we are recommitting ourselves to this work by addressing racial disparities in housing and empowering residents to achieve the dream of homeownership. Looking ahead, we will continue building partnerships and deploying investments so every working family can access the housing they need at a price they can afford.”

The Into the Streets program is put on every year in recognition of Milwaukee County's declaration of racism as a public health crisis, a historic ruling made back in 2019.