New Funding Supports Environmental Health Efforts in City of Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – Owners and occupants of older homes in the City of Milwaukee are encouraged to prevent childhood lead poisoning and make their homes lead-safe with the help of a new round of federal funding.

This program is funded through a City of Milwaukee sub-award of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 from June 2022 through December 2026.

Revitalize Milwaukee’s Lead Hazard Reduction ARPA Program (LHRP) works to reduce lead-based paint hazards in homes to protect children and families in the City of Milwaukee. ARPA funding is available to control or reduce lead paint hazards in homes and units occupied by low-income residents. “We are empowered to bring this program and service to so many deserving homeowners and tenants. Amazing partnerships with new vendors and contractors have developed. We are poised to complete hundreds of lead abatement projects and protect as many kids and families as we can. The environmental health of those we serve remains our focus”, said Lynnea Katz-Petted, CEO of Revitalize Milwaukee.

Qualifying owner-occupied homes and tenant units can have lead paint abated at no cost. First and foremost, children should be tested at the local health department. Based on the results, individuals will be referred to Revitalize Milwaukee.

In the City of Milwaukee, homes built prior to 1978 may contain lead paint, while homes built before 1950 usually have the highest concentrations. If lead dust is inhaled or ingested, it can cause lead poisoning even at low levels. Lead poisoning can be difficult to detect. Adults may experience symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, high blood pressure, and difficulties with memory or concentration. Lead poisoning is most prevalent in children under the age of six due to their rapidly developing and more susceptible bodies. Symptoms may include developmental delay, learning difficulties, vomiting, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Long-term effects include damage to the brain and other bodily systems and its effects can last a lifetime.

Revitalize Milwaukee works with homeowners, occupants, local health departments and community partners to offer abatement services for those affected by this ongoing health crisis.

The LHRP-ARPA Program has been launched for the 2023 programmatic year. Revitalize Milwaukee is currently accepting referrals via the City of Milwaukee Health Department.

Areas of availability include select properties in the City of Milwaukee. Child lead testing must be completed first. For eligibility requirements visit: freehomerepairs.org/leadhazardreductionarpa.

RM’s mission is to stabilize neighborhoods by providing free critical home repairs to low-income homeowners. Through home repairs, we improve health, increase the quality of life, and stabilize neighborhoods. Since 2000, Revitalize Milwaukee has completed critical home repairs on nearly 4,000 homes with the help of next to 12,000 volunteers and invested over 24 million dollars into Milwaukee-area housing. We are proud to be the largest provider of free critical home repairs in Southeast Wisconsin. Join us in changing the lives of countless low-income homeowners. For media inquiries only contact CEO Lynnea Katz-Petted at (414) 704-1581. For general inquiries contact our lead department at (414) 312-7531, Ext. 903 or visit www.freehomerepairs.org

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.