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Mission Statement

The Department of Development strives to undertake and support initiatives that sustain the quality of our communities, provide open and affordable housing choices, expand and retain employment opportunities, help assure the lasting viability of local businesses and strengthen the tax base one project and one parcel at a time.

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Lead Safe Program

2006 Children's Environmental Health Excellence Award 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. In the cities of Cleveland Heights and Lakewood, grant applications are available from your city hall. In the cities of East Cleveland, applications are available from the Cuyahoga County Department of Development at the address and phone number shown below.

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. 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.

Applications are no longer being accepted at this time for the Lead Safe Program. All grant funds have been committed.
 
Interested individuals should check back in mid-2010 to inquire if additional funds have been obtained.
 
If you are a family with children who are lead poisoned, please contact the Cuyahoga County Board of Health directly at 216-201-2001.  Grant funds may still be available to families with lead poisoned children.

Eligibility:

  • Homeowners and renters with a child age 5 or younger living in the home or regularly attending paid home day care in the home are eligible.
  • All children 5 years of age or younger living or often spending time in the home (day care children) must be tested for blood lead levels, within six months before remediation starts.
  • Household income limits are based on the total expected annual income for the next 12 months of all persons living in the assisted unit.
  • The home or apartment must not be in foreclosure, and all property taxes must be current or the owner must be on a County-approved payment plan for the back property taxes.
  • Landlords must agree to give preference in renting assisted units to families with children under 6, for 3 years after the work is done, and may not raise tenant-paid monthly rents for one year after the remediation work is finished.
  • Maximum homeowner and tenant household income limits for 2008 are as follows:

2008 Lead Safe Eligibility Guidelines
Household Size            
Tenant Household
Income Limit
Homeowner Income Limit 
$22,700 $36,300
2 $25,900 $41,500
3 $29,150 $46,650
4 $32,400 $51,850
5 $35,000 $56,000
6 $37,600 $60,150
7 $40,200 $64,300
8 $42,750 $68,450

Tenants may be served at the homeowner income limit on a case by case basis.

How To Apply:

Download a Copy of the Lead Safe Application [PDF]

To request an application by mail contact:
Cuyahoga County Board of Health
5550 Venture Drive
Parma, OH 44130
(216) 201-2000

City of Cleveland residents call: (216) 664-2175
Cleveland Hts. residents call: (216) 291-4444
Ohio Relay Service for hearing impaired: 711

The Cuyahoga County Information Services Center
Department of Development
112 Hamilton Avenue
4th Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
216-443-7260
A part of the Development and Justice Agency