SafeHomes initiative expands lead abatement efforts for a lead-free Milwaukee
Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic has authored a multifaceted 2021 budget amendment to significantly address lead abatement efforts to help better protect Milwaukee children from lead poisoning.
As part of a larger budget amendment sponsored by many council members, the SafeHomes Lead Abatement Initiative increases lead abatement and lead hazard inspection capabilities in the Milwaukee Health Department and the Department of Neighborhood Services.
Alderwoman Dimitrijevic, chairwoman of the Public Safety and Health Committee, said her amendment would fund SafeHomes using $500,000 in Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) resources. She said the amendment will create a new lead abatement program focused on owner occupied dwellings, in the Health Department, and participants in the program will work with city-approved contractors.
The Health Department has estimated that about 37 dwelling units could be abated with the total $1 million in capital abatement funding – this would include an existing $500,000 in funding and the $500,000 added via Alderwoman Dimitrijevic’s amendment.
“The SafeHomes initiative aims to specifically prioritize properties where there are children under six years of age who have elevated blood lead levels, providing owner occupants with helpful partial subsidies for the abatement of lead paint and lead water services. With children and families spending a significantly increased time inside during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical for us to focus on doing everything we can to abate lead hazards and to protect young children with elevated blood levels who are at highest risk for developmental and behavior problems, as well as permanent damage to the brain and nervous system. Every child deserves to live in a lead free Milwaukee and we must do all we can to make this happen,” she said.
Other cosponsors of the omnibus amendment include Alderwoman Dimitrijevic, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Mark A. Borkowski, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, and Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa.
The Finance and Personnel Committee will take up Council amendments to the 2021 budget when it meets at 9 a.m. this Thursday (October 29). The committee’s deliberations will continue on Friday, October 30 if needed.
Thursday’s virtual meeting will be televised live on the City Channel (channel 25 on Spectrum Cable and channel 99 on AT&T U-Verse in the City of Milwaukee) and via streaming video on the city website atcity.milwaukee.gov/Channel25.
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
- Baldwin Delivers Over $83 Million to Replace Lead Pipes, Expand Access to Safe Drinking Water - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - May 2nd, 2024
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on Milwaukee Designation as Workforce Hub - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Apr 26th, 2024
- Biden Announces Milwaukee As New “Workforce Hub” For Lead Pipe Removal - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 25th, 2024
- Senator Baldwin Delivers Nearly $2 Million to Keep Wausau Families Safe from Lead Contamination - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Apr 12th, 2024
- IRS Rules that Homeowners Won’t Have to Pay Additional Taxes for Subsidized Replacement of Lead Pipes - Milwaukee Water Works - Feb 29th, 2024
- Milwaukee Makes It Far Easier To Replace Your Lead Service Line - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 18th, 2023
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore Praises Biden Administration Effort to Remove Lead Pipes in 10 Years - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Nov 30th, 2023
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces Partnership with 10 Wisconsin Communities to Accelerate Lead Service Line Replacement as Part of Investing in America Agenda - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Nov 2nd, 2023
- Evers, DNR Announce $402 Million Funding to Improve Local Drinking Water - Henry Redman - Oct 24th, 2023
- How EPA’s Proposed Lead Dust Rules Would Impact Wisconsin - Farrah Anderson - Aug 30th, 2023
Read more about Lead Crisis here
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