The Cuyahoga County Lead Safe Program enables eligible low-and-moderate income homeowners and renters in targeted suburban areas outside the City of Cleveland to make changes in their homes to provide a lead safe environment for young children. Grants are offered to income-eligible homeowners and renters who live in any Cuyahoga County suburb outside the City of Cleveland, with a child age 5 or younger living in the home or regularly attending paid home day care in the home. Grants up to $9500 are available to those meeting household income limits for items such as new windows, doors, painting, and other repairs. Minimum homeowner contribution is 10% of the project cost. In most cases, the grant will cover the full cost of the work. The property owner will be notified in advance if the cost of work will be more than the grant limit. Low-interest loans for the extra cost may be available depending on the community. Grants are available to make repairs to the home that, at completion, will make the unit lead safe according to United States Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines. The scope of work to be done will be determined by a free Lead Risk Assessment by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Remediation work will be done by state licensed Lead Abatement Contractors and inspected by the Board of Health.

Qualifications/Eligibility

• Home must be in the City of Cleveland and built before 1978 (Cleveland Heights qualifies however University Heights does not)
• A child under age six must live in or visit 20+ hours each week, or a pregnant woman must live in the home
• The family must be low income
• Lead hazards must be identified (all eligible families get a free lead inspection)

Protecting Children

Lead is poisonous to a child’s body, and can harm the brain and cause learning difficulties and behavioral problems. Many homes built before 1978 have paint containing lead. The city recommends that parents living in homes built before 1978 have their children tested.