Mold and mildew are never welcome in any home. The smell is often nauseating and can lead to multiple different illnesses. If you are experiencing any medical issues: headaches, dizziness, nose bleeds, breathing problems, nervousness, blurred vision etc. and you smell mildew in your home or work environment then there is a serious chance that you may be having a reaction to mold and should first see a doctor if your symptoms are persistent. Second, you should discover the location of the mold and its water source. If you cannot discover the water source you should call a basement detective or other waterproofing inspector to find the source of the water/moisture.
If the moisture is not abated the mold will continue to grow. If you clean the mold (be aware it is not really possible to clean inside a wall) it will return if there is water still present.