Common Council approves full lead hazard review for city-owned properties
News release from Alderman Jose G. Perez and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II
The Common Council today approved a resolution requiring the Department of City Development to prepare a comprehensive plan to review all lead health hazards in occupied city-owned properties.
The legislation (File #180119), created by primary sponsors Alderman José G. Pérez and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, directs the Department of City Development to create the plan within 30 days. The plan must include a review of all potential lead hazards, including water pipes, paint, and soil, in occupied city-owned buildings.
“Lead exposure is a serious issue plaguing our city and putting children at risk,” said Alderman Pérez. “Developing a plan to review every city-owned property, specifically homes with young children, can guide us to the best form of action to eliminate this health hazard.”
“With this comprehensive plan in place, we can now take action steps to provide safer homes for our city’s residents,” Alderman Stamper said. “The quick turn-around with this plan will help us to address the real issue, removing lead from occupied city-owned homes.”
The measure aims to reduce health risks, including attention disorders and slow development, within homes that are often lived in by pregnant women and young children, who are most vulnerable to risks of lead poisoning.
Added as co-sponsors to the legislation today were Alderman Jim Bohl, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, and Alderman Nik Kovac.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lead Crisis
- Gov. Evers Approves Bill to Support Lead Service Line Replacement in Superior - Gov. Tony Evers - Jul 1st, 2025
- MPS’s Westside Academy Cleared of Lead Risks After Stabilization Work - Milwaukee Public Schools - Jul 1st, 2025
- MPS Plans Lead Remediation at 40 Schools This Summer - Evan Casey - Jun 27th, 2025
- Baldwin, Reed Demand Written Answers from RFK, Jr. on Firings of Childhood Lead Poisoning Experts at CDC - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Jun 11th, 2025
- MPS’s LaFollette School Cleared of Lead Risks After Stabilization Work - Milwaukee Public Schools - Jun 11th, 2025
- Sen. Baldwin Hears From Parents About MPS Lead Crisis, Chides RFK Jr. - Evan Casey - Jun 9th, 2025
- Reps. Margaret Arney and Darrin Madison Urge Joint Finance Committee to Reinstate Essential Lead Abatement Funding - State Rep. Margaret Arney - Jun 5th, 2025
- Gov. Evers, DHS Continue Administration’s Efforts to Combat Lead Poisoning Statewide with Permanent Rule - Gov. Tony Evers - May 27th, 2025
- RFK Jr. Claims ‘Team’ Is In Milwaukee Helping With Lead Crisis, Health Department Can’t Find Them - Nick Rommel - May 22nd, 2025
- MPS Announces Starms Early Childhood Center Is Cleared of Lead Dangers - Milwaukee Public Schools - May 21st, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
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Since the vast majority of children’s exposure to lead is paint related, and since most of these exposures are in rental properties that have been deteriorating for years, the idea of concentrating on City-owned housing (mostly built after the years of lead paint) will be fairly meaningless. Do not let the property owners of low-income rental housing get off this hook, and increase spending on inspections and follow through.