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Health Department reports progress on lead‑hazard remediation, targets rental properties
Summary
The Lead and Healthy Homes team reported progress on 2025 lead‑hazard remediation and said the program is prioritizing rental properties in six high‑risk Minneapolis neighborhoods.
The Minneapolis Health Department’s Lead and Healthy Homes team told the Public Health and Safety Committee on June 25 that its 2025 program is prioritizing rental properties in neighborhoods with historically high lead exposure and has initiated dozens of remediation projects under existing funding.
Alex Volmer, manager of the Lead and Healthy Homes team, said the program receives elevated blood lead referrals from the state and uses a risk model that emphasizes rental occupancy, building age (pre‑1940), lack of maintenance records and location to target properties. “Sixty percent of our historical elevated blood lead cases are occurring in rental properties,” Volmer said.
As of June 13 the team reported 102 dwelling units in its current funded portfolio, with 44 projects having contracted services in flight and 24 of those with signed contracts; an additional 43 units were marked closed in 2025 under this funding stream. The program has conducted 29 preventive inspections during the quarter, using referrals from 311, regulatory services, and the Minnesota Department of Health.
Volmer said the program has proposed using up to $1,000,000 for lead hazard renovations with a guideline of up to $10,000 per dwelling unit; property owners must match costs above that amount. He said the approach aims for permanent repairs and lead‑safe abatement techniques rather than minimum maintenance so crews do not return later for new exposures. “Our goal is that once we go to a property, we’re not coming back to a property,” he said.
Program staff highlighted before‑and‑after photos showing window and porch repairs and stressed hiring contractors familiar with lead‑safe work practices. Volmer said the program currently has four staff working on the program, with one supervisor position vacant but interviews recently completed.
Chair Jason Chavez directed the clerk to receive and file the quarterly update. Committee members asked staff to keep them informed if ordinance changes are considered to clarify authority for lead assessments; Volmer said staff has discussed potential ordinance clarifications with attorneys and will follow up.
