Erie County gets more lead abatement money

SANDUSKY — Cleveland's loss is apparently the Erie County Health Department's gain. The health department recently received an additional $400,000 to remove lead contamination from local homes. Not too long ago, the Ohio Department of Development took away money from communities that had been given money to eliminate lead from residences but failed to use it, letting the money sit around in accounts. Those communities include Cleveland, which lost $3.3 million in lead abatement money because of the city's inept administration of its program, according to an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The state department then gave out additional lead grant abatement money to local communities that had a track record of using the money. Among those winners: the Erie County Health Department, which got $400,000 to supplement the millions of dollars it has received over the years since the department began its program in 2008, said Bob England, who runs the health department's lead abatement program. A spokesman for the Ohio Department of Development, Mason Waldvogel, said he can't confirm the money sent to Erie County came from dollars taken away from Cleveland. Waldvogel, however, said the money did come from reclaimed lead abatement money. England said the health department got the money because it has consistently met its targets for removing lead paint and other lead hazards from local homes, reducing the risk of lead poisoning for children. The health department has until June 30 to use its additional money. England said he's confident that the goal will be met. "We've already got the projects lined up," he said in late February. England said the local Dorn Foundation recently increased its support for the lead removal program, going from $150,000 to $200,000 over a four-year period. Erie County doesn't just remove lead from Erie County homes but also serves Huron, Lorain, Sandusky and Ottawa counties. The lead abatement and healthy homes programs provide help to both homeowners and landlords in the counties that the Erie County Health Department serves. For more information about the programs and to fill out an application: • Go to the office of lead hazard and health homes section of the Erie County Health Department's website; The health department's website is at eriecohealthohio.com. • Click the "programs" tab to find that program and other health department programs, such as adult day services and programs for dealing with addiction, such as the detox center and free naloxone People can also call 419-626–5623 for more information.