On October 17, 2024 Mayor Justin Bibb signed an executive order to bolster efforts against lead poisoning in Cleveland. This initiative follows a report indicating a rise in lead poisoning rates in 2023, with an 11% rate and 11 cases reported by the city’s health department.
Back in 2019, Cleveland made a significant push to register all rental properties with lead-safe certifications. By the end of 2023, 31,000 rental units were compliant. However, data suggests that a lead certificate, valid for two years, may not guarantee a lead-safe environment throughout its duration.
What Does This Mean for Property Owners?
The implications for property owners are still unfolding, but landlords should anticipate potential changes. The primary goal is abatement, which involves removing lead-based hazards rather than just repainting, cleaning, and wiping for certification.
In addition to abatement, the city plans to provide resources to help property owners move towards this goal. There will also be increased disclosure of risks to the public and tenants, aiming to reduce lead paint poisonings.
Immediate Changes
Risk assessments will now be part of new lead-safe certificate applications, with more metrics and guidance to be established. Further legislative changes to the existing Lead-Safe Certificate Program may also be proposed.
Stay tuned for more updates as Cleveland continues to enhance its lead safety measures.
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