The Let Safe Cleveland Coalition, a collaborative initiative comprising over 500 members from various sectors, presented a comprehensive update on its efforts to combat lead poisoning in Cleveland during a recent government meeting. Ayanna Bludonald, the coalition's vice president, emphasized the coalition's commitment to ensuring that no child is exposed to lead hazards, highlighting the need for a proactive lead-safe certification system that has been in development since 1978.

Bludonald outlined the coalition's strategic approach, which combines incentives and regulatory measures to encourage compliance among property owners. The coalition has adapted its strategies in response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the availability of financial incentives for lead-safe certifications and expanding eligibility criteria to include more low-income households.

Significant funding has been allocated to the Lead Safe Home Fund, which supports various programs aimed at making properties lead-safe. Currently, approximately $92.8 million has been committed to this initiative, with a focus on grants and loans for property owners. However, the coalition has faced challenges in deploying loan funds, as many property owners are opting for grants instead, leading to a reassessment of the loan program's structure.

The coalition is also introducing new programs, including relocation assistance for families affected by lead hazards, and plans to enhance lead screening and testing services in the city. A recent shift in grant caps from $12,500 to an average of $20,000 per property aims to address the high costs of necessary repairs, ensuring that more properties can be remediated effectively.

As the coalition moves forward, it remains committed to engaging with community members and stakeholders to refine its approach and ensure that the needs of Cleveland residents are met. The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration among public, private, and philanthropic partners in tackling the pervasive issue of lead poisoning in the city.