Alderman Witkowiak - 12th District

The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) provides $190 for window lead abatement, including either a jamb liner treatment or vinyl replacement windows. The homeowner is responsible for the $57 permit fee. If the owner chooses vinyl replacement windows, the cost will exceed the $190 subsidy provided by MHD; the owner is responsible for this additional cost. Properties within Targeted Investment Neighborhoods are eligible for the window funding and other requirements must be met.

• Owner occupants must have children present who are less than 3 years of age and agree to blood lead tests for all children less than 6 years of age.
• Property must have been built prior to 1950.
• Property taxes must be current on all properties.
• Building Inspection orders must be corrected on the enrolled property.
• Single family and duplex properties must be assessed at less than $150,000.
• Rental units must be available to low-income residents three years following completion of lead hazard control.
• Owner occupants must qualify as low income.
• Windows must have lead hazards documented by MHD staff.
• All windows must have storms (unless replacement windows are being installed).
• In-home childcare centers must receive parental consent to a blood lead test for all children less than 6 years of age.

If you are eligible and interested in participating in the Primary Prevention Program, contact Richard Gaeta at (414) 286-5788 or go to www.milwaukee.gov/lead to learn more about the city’s lead abatement program and the hazards of lead in the home.

Homeowner Development Opportunities Available in the 12th District
The City of Milwaukee’s Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC) offers grants to Targeted Investment Neighborhoods. Among them are low interest loans for EMERGENCY home repair for only owner-occupied homes and $20,000 and $30,000 grants for those that purchase foreclosed homes in our targeted areas.

I encourage district residents, especially Spanish speaking, to feel free to contact the NIDC office at www.mkedcd.org/housing/nidc.html.

Visit www.milwaukeehousinghelp.org to learn more about the NIDC foreclosure program. 

Safe Ways to Keep Cool
Now that summer is here and bringing with it hot and muggy weather, it is important that city residents be aware of the safe ways to keep cool. There are the county pools or water parks that can be found at www.county.milwaukee.gov/Pools9145.htm and free playground Cool Spots and wading pools (please go to www.milwaukeerecreation.net/playgrounds/index.htm) located throughout the city. The city encourages residents to seek out cool spots and refrain from opening fire hydrants to stay cool. Hydrants can help save homes and buildings in the event of fire, and it is a crime to alter or misuse fire hydrants. Also, if damaged, hydrants are costly for the city to repair.

Starting Wednesday, February 3, 2010, the City of Milwaukee's two Self-Help stations, located at 6660 N. Industrial Rd. and 3879 W. Lincoln Ave. will be closed on Wednesdays due to budget restraints. The Self-Help locations are used by thousands of Milwaukee households to get rid of items no longer needed or that won't fit into garbage carts. Many use the Self-Help stations to avoid the $50 special pick up fee for items too large for the normal crew.

For more information, please click here or download the news release from the Department of Public Works.

Safe Sleep for Your Baby
The City of Milwaukee Health Department strongly advises parents NOT to share a bed with their infant. This is based on an American Academy of Pediatrics 2005 Policy Statement that states that the “risk of SIDS has been shown to be reduced when the infant sleeps in the same room as the mother,” but the AAP recommends that infants not share a bed with parents or anyone else, due to proven hazards. Click here to view a video that offers some advice on how to avoid the problems associated with “co-sleeping” with infants.

• When a Novel H1N1 vaccine becomes available; please see that children get the immunization. It is possible that swine flu vaccinations will be provided at some school sites. MPS will provide details when they are available.
• Find out where you could receive food assistance if your child’s school is closed and you have no access to school meals.

Click here to download the letter from MPS to families.

For all other information please refer to Milwaukee Public School’s Website at mpsportal.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/portal/server.pt

Facing Foreclosure? There Is Help Available
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) is providing counseling to those facing foreclosure. Working in conjunction with the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, the counseling helps homeowners develop a budget and arrange payment options with lenders.

Interested persons can call Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) at 1-888-995-4673 or go to www.995hope.org.