Milwaukee, WI

Some Milwaukee homes undergo lead abatement for free

Published

2 years ago

October 23, 2024

Some Milwaukee homes undergo lead abatement for free

MILWAUKEE — Health officials said lead is still commonly found in older homes around Milwaukee. Lead paint was banned in the U.S. in 1978, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

So many of the city’s homes are contaminated with lead that the Milwaukee Health Department is calling it a crisis.

What You Need To Know

The Milwaukee Health Department said roughly 200,000 homes in the city are contaminated with lead. Since it’s so prevalent in Milwaukee homes, $20 million in federal funds have been put toward reducing the lead hazard in low-income communities

The health department is reducing lead contamination in nearly 100 homes a year

The older the home, the higher the levels of lead. That poses an array of health risks, especially for children

Tyler Weber, the deputy commissioner of environmental health at the Milwaukee Health Department, said there are 200,000 homes in the City of Milwaukee contaminated with lead.

He said the older the home, the higher the levels of lead. That poses an array of health risks, especially for children.

“It can prevent a child from learning to read earlier in life,” Weber said. “It can decrease their vocabulary. There’s impulse control [and] potentially ADHD. So there’s a number of behavioral challenges and that can have a lifelong impact.”

Weber said lead can be found in walls, windows, water and soil. He said because it’s so prevalent in Milwaukee homes, $20 million in federal funds have been put toward reducing the lead hazard in low-income communities.

“They’ve been significantly red-lined, segregated economically and they have older homes with more windows, bigger square-footage and 80% of the families we work with are renters,” Weber said.

In Milwaukee, a resident may qualify for the Wisconsin Lead-Safe Homes Program (LSHP) if they meet the following criteria:

“Your home was built before 1978
“Your taxes are paid to date or you are enrolled in a tax payment plan
“Children under age 19 or a pregnant woman living at or regularly visiting your home are on, or are eligible for, Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus. (“Regularly visiting” means visiting for at least three hours per day on two or more days per week, totaling at least 60 hours per year)”

The Morris sisters are just two of the many individuals impacted by lead exposure in the city. Their home was built in the early 1900s and riddled with lead.

A Habitat for Humanity flyer left in their mailbox that advertised free lead abatement services caught their interest.

“I told my sister, I said ‘Hey, I think this would be a good thing to look into,’ because it’s an older house. We have peeling paint and she had her two grandchildren living here with us,” Shawn Morris said.

They met the qualifications, as the grandkids living in the home had high levels of lead in their blood. Habitat for Humanity quickly got to work. The abatement took about three months to complete and was done free of charge.

“It’s a wonderful program,” Morris said. “They totally transformed our house. They gave us a new house. There’s no way we would have been able to afford it.”

The project saved the Morris family thousands of dollars and brought the grandkids’ lead blood levels back to normal. Weber is hoping to do just that for other families affected by lead exposure.

“Helping to get this crisis under control and bring awareness to the lead poisoning and the effects in can cause,” Weber said.

For more information on how to qualify and apply for free lead remediation in Milwaukee, click here.

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Milwaukee, WI

City funding awarded for redevelopment at 2618 N. Milwaukee

Published

52 minutes ago

July 15, 2026

Press Room

City funding awarded for redevelopment at 2618 N. Milwaukee

The City of Chicago has awarded a $3 million Community Development Grant for the redevelopment of the former Grace’s Furniture building at 2618 N. Milwaukee. Planned by Bluestar Properties and Marc Realty, the building was built in 1914 as a storage warehouse and sits within the Logan Square Boulevards District.

2618 N. MilwaukeeGoogle Maps

With K2 Studio serving as the architect, the existing structure will be converted into a four-story health club with a ground floor restaurant and cafe. Set to be known as Logan Square Athletic Club, the health club will be operated by Chicago Athletic Clubs.

The redevelopment will rehabilitate the existing brick facade along N. Milwaukee Ave while creating a new brick facade on the south elevation.

2618 N. MilwaukeeK2 Studio

The $11 million development will be supported in part by the $3 million Community Development Grant, which is funded through the city’s Housing and Economic Development bond.

According to Block Club Chicago, the project is expected to begin construction in Fall 2026 with construction expected to last for one year, with the gym set to open in late 2027.

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Milwaukee, WI

16-year-old shot in Milwaukee; police seek suspects

Published

13 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Press Room

16-year-old shot in Milwaukee; police seek suspects

A teen was shot in Milwaukee on the afternoon of July 14, and the Milwaukee Police Department is asking the public for information about the incident.

Police said a 16-year-old was shot in the 2700 block of North 44th Street around 4:23 p.m., according to a news release. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.

Milwaukee police are looking for unknown suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Milwaukee Police Department at 414-935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or submit a tip through the P3 Tips app.

Adrienne Davis is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee cooling centers, heat advisory tips; what to know

Published

1 day ago

July 14, 2026

Press Room

Milwaukee cooling centers, heat advisory tips; what to know

article

MILWAUKEE – The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Milwaukee and all of southeastern Wisconsin from noon Tuesday through 8 p.m. Wednesday, with heat index values expected to reach the upper 90s to around 100 degrees.

While the advisory is expected to end Wednesday evening, hot and humid conditions are forecast to continue through the remainder of the week.

Forecast conditions can change, so everyone is encouraged to monitor local forecasts and follow guidance from the National Weather Service.

Milwaukee County cooling sites

What we know:

Cooling sites are available throughout Milwaukee County.

For an updated list of cooling locations, heat safety information, and resources on preventing heat-related illness, visit the City of Milwaukee website or call 211.

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Staying safe during extreme heat

What you can do:

Stay cool

Limit outdoor activities, especially during the hottest part of the day.
Spend time in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible such as libraries, shopping centers, or community centers.
If you have an air conditioner, make sure it is installed and working properly.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Take cool showers or baths, or use cool, wet towels to lower body temperature.
Fans may provide comfort but should not be relied upon as the primary cooling method during extreme heat.

Stay hydrated

Drink water regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty.
Avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine, which can contribute to dehydration.
Encourage children, older adults, and others at higher risk to drink fluids throughout the day.

Protect yourself and others

Never leave children, older adults, or pets unattended in vehicles. Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can become deadly within minutes.
Check on older neighbors, family members, and others who may need assistance staying cool.
Many public cooling sites are located along Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) routes. Visit RideMCTS.com for transit information.