Oakland's Lead Crisis

Oakland faces a serious lead problem, with an estimated 83% of rental housing possibly containing lead, particularly in neighborhoods with significant Black and Latino populations. The city has known about this issue for decades and yet has been slow to act, leaving vulnerable residents exposed without assistance. Many of the housing units at risk were built before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned, which increases the likelihood of lead exposure through peeling paint, contaminated soil, and old plumbing. This ongoing crisis highlights the serious health risks linked to housing conditions and the urgent need for actionable policies to protect affected communities.