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County seeks more applications for Lead Safe Ohio program after state extension; county sets March 31 internal deadline
Summary
Lorain County said the Lead Safe Ohio homeowner remediation program (ARPA-funded) has been extended and that the county is increasing outreach to generate applications; county staff set an internal March 31 deadline to assemble projects to meet the federal completion requirement of Feb. 28, 2026.
Lorain County community-development staff told commissioners on March 14 that the Lead Safe Ohio program — funded through ARPA — has been extended and reopened for additional applications, and the county is intensifying outreach to identify eligible homeowners and daycare centers.
Staff said the county had few applications in the initial round and reported that as of the last update about $81,000 had been committed to projects. Because the federal ARPA-funded program requires work to be completed by Feb. 28, 2026, county staff set an internal application deadline of March 31 so projects selected by the county would have sufficient time to be performed and closed out. County staff said Kleinfelder administers the program locally and vets and certifies contractors for lead-abatement work.
Why it matters: Lead remediation affects public health, especially for children; county staff said many homes built before 1977 may contain lead and that larger outreach to health providers, realtors and community groups will be used to identify candidates.
Key details - Funding and deadlines: The program uses ARPA funds; federal rules require work completion by Feb. 28, 2026. The county set an internal application window to March 31 to permit project delivery within the federal deadline. - Current pipeline: Staff reported about $81,000 committed to date and said they expect the recent press release and targeted outreach to increase the number of applications. - Eligibility and administration: Kleinfelder is the program administrator; proposed projects must meet state and federal requirements. Daycare centers are eligible under the program in addition to owner-occupied homes.
Discussion vs. action - Discussion: County administrators reviewed outreach steps and coordination with Kleinfelder, the health department and community organizations. - Direction: Staff committed to return with an update at the board’s next meeting and to report whether the county can fully use the allocated program funds.
Ending: County staff asked for continued cooperation from community partners and said they would report back on progress before the board’s next meeting.
