I am writing to highlight the issue of lead contamination in rental homes and its disproportionate impact on immigrant families in Minneapolis.
As an advocate working with these communities, I witness firsthand the harmful effects of lead poisoning on families, especially children. Lead exposure, which causes developmental delays, learning difficulties and severe health problems, remains a serious issue in older Minneapolis homes. Immigrant families often face barriers in the housing market — such as lack of credit history, little rental history, low-paying jobs and language barriers — that limit their access to safer, affordable housing. Landlords are slow to respond, and the city struggles to enforce remediation.
Many landlords continue collecting rent while ignoring lead-related issues. Immigrant families are often unaware of their rights and fear reporting problems could impact their immigration status. Free legal sources like HOME Line and Minnesota Legal Aid help tenants understand their rights and translation services are available to assist.
In 2023, the Minneapolis Department of Health reported that nearly 600 children had elevated blood lead levels, disproportionately affecting immigrant families. Immigrant households are also 30% more likely to live in homes that fail to meet lead safety standards, and even low lead levels can cause long-term harm, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
I urge city officials to adopt stricter policies, including mandatory lead inspections, increased funding for lead abatement in low-income neighborhoods and expanded support for immigrant families. These measures and improved legal outreach are critical to achieving health equity for all families.
Alyssa Olson is an Afghan Housing Stability Specialist at CAPI USA.
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