Allen County moves ahead on residential lead removal project

Jan. 18—LIMA — Allen County commissioners are hopeful that a collaboration with the Fremont-based Great Lakes Community Action Partnership will help address lead issues in some of Lima's older housing stock.

Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding Thursday to undertake this lead removal project with GLCAP as part of the Ohio Department of Development's Lead Safe Ohio Program, with just over $1 million in funds set to come to Allen County.

Lead Safe Ohio is allocating $95 million across all 88 counties to address lead issues in residences, with GLCAP's eight-county project slated to receive just under $4.5 million overall. Putnam County is also included in the GLCAP project and is slated to receive $202,000, according to the Ohio Department of Development. Auglaize County is not part of the project overseen by GLCAP, but the county is slated for a $457,000 allocation.

According to Allen County Commissioner Beth Seibert, this program will allocate $50,000 for each property, meaning that this allocation should involve 18 to 20 properties in the county, with GLCAP overseeing the logistics of distributing the funds. Seibert also pointed out that there are certain stipulations to meet for properties to qualify.

"It has to be a residence that was built prior to 1978," she said. "It has to be owner-occupied, which means we can't use this money with rentals. It doesn't have to have children in it, but it will bump up the priority of getting these dollars if there are children in it. And it can't have vinyl. If you have your windows and such wrapped in vinyl, we're not remediating that. It has to be exposed wood with lead paint."

The commissioners' office has been working with other agencies in identifying potential project sites, including the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities the West Ohio Community Action Partnership and Allen County Public Health, as well as agencies for the city of Lima. However, property owners who think their homes may qualify are encouraged to contact the commissioners' office at 419-228-3700, ext. 8725 and leave their information.