The impact of state lead policy on affordable rental housing in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota from 1991 to 1995.

摘要

Childhood lead poisoning is a serious public health concern in the United States. Lead-based paint in pre-1978 housing stock is the major source. Although federal laws addressing childhood lead poisoning exist, recently promulgated state laws are in the beginning stages of implementation. Lead policy can have an impact on affordable housing as a result of the way the policy is written and/or implemented. Although the primary objective d lead regulation is to reduce the incidence of childhood lead poisoning, the policy may result in unintended and negative consequences for affordable housing.;This study sought to determine the impact of state lead policy on affordable rental housing in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota between 1991-1995. The city Departments of Health implemented the policy. The 1991 state lead statute used the "secondary" or "health" approach. A child with an elevated blood lead level triggered an inspection of his or her home. Units containing lead levels exceeding the standards were issued lead orders, legal documents directing a property owner to reduce the lead level according to directives given in the order.;Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. The findings of the case study suggested that the 1991 Minnesota lead statute loosely structured the implementation process, allowing enough discretion by the local agencies for differential implementation. The impact on affordable housing was unintended and negative.;Questionnaires were sent to 650 rental property owners who were issued lead orders in 1994 or 1995. The results showed differential implementation between the two cities, an overall loss of affordable housing units, and a significant difference in the number of units lost by the two cities. Affordable rental housing units were lost through abandonment by the property owner, condemnation by the city, increased vacancy rates, changes in affordability level and rent increases. Significantly more units were lost when the statute was aggressively implemented, applying a "lead free" standard, mainly due to higher costs associated with more extensive work required by the order.