The City of Cleveland just lost $3.3 million in state funding that was earmarked to make homes lead-safe. The Ohio Department of Development pulled the grant after City Hall failed to spend the money fast enough. Columbus lost funding too — over $6 million total redirected away from Ohio’s two largest cities.
As a lead safety company working in Cleveland every day, this hits close to home for us at PbFree Ohio. That money could have helped make hundreds of homes safer for kids and families. Mayor Bibb has taken responsibility for the loss, but the damage is done — those dollars are going to other communities now.
The Good News — and the Gap That Remains
Childhood lead poisoning rates in Cleveland are finally trending in the right direction. After hovering around 20% from 2019 to 2022, rates dropped to 18.1% in 2023, 16.8% in 2024, and preliminary 2025 numbers show 14.5% — the lowest on record.
But here’s the reality: only about one-third of Cleveland’s rental units currently have a Lead Safe Certificate. That means two out of every three rental properties still haven’t been inspected and certified. With the city losing millions in remediation funding, the gap between where we are and where we need to be just got wider.
What This Means If You’re a Landlord
Cleveland’s Lead Safe Ordinance (CCO 365) still requires landlords with pre-1978 rental properties to obtain a Lead Safe Certificate. That requirement isn’t going away — if anything, enforcement pressure is likely to increase as the city looks for ways to close the compliance gap without the funding it just lost.
If your property doesn’t have a current LSC, now is the time to act — not later. Here’s why:
- Avoid fines and civil tickets. The city issues civil tickets to non-compliant properties every week. Getting ahead of enforcement saves you money and headaches.
- Protect your tenants. Lead paint hazards are real, especially in Cleveland’s older housing stock. A lead-safe property is a safer property.
- Protect your investment. An LSC keeps your property rentable and in good standing with the city. Without one, you risk losing your ability to rent legally.
PbFree Ohio Can Help
We perform lead risk assessments, XRF testing, and clearance exams for rental properties across Greater Cleveland. Whether you need your first Lead Safe Certificate or you’re coming up on renewal, we’ll walk you through the process from start to finish.
Don’t wait for a civil ticket to take action. Call us at (216) 254-7578 or visit pbfreeohio.com to schedule your inspection today.