LISC Greater Cincinnati and Hamilton County Commissioners Launch Lead Safe Hamilton County

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Regina Carswell Russo
(513) 315-1326
regina@rrightnow.com

Hamilton County Commissioners Launch Lead Safe Program in partnership with LISC Greater Cincinnati

(Hamilton County, OH) –Hamilton County Commissioners announce the launch of their $5.3 million Lead Safe Ohio program to help eligible homeowners afford home repairs. Lead Safe Hamilton County, powered by LISC Greater Cincinnati, provides lead-safe repairs for homes constructed before 1978 in Hamilton County, including homes located within the City of Cincinnati.

“With these grants, we aren’t just renovating homes; we are investing in a healthy community that ensures every family can live in a safe environment,” said Commission President Alicia Reece.

"Safety starts in the home. With Lead Safe Hamilton County grants, we're empowering homeowners to take steps towards a lead-free future for their families,” said Commissioner Denise Driehaus.

“This program offers a solution to what could be a lifetime of complications due to lead exposure,” said Commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas. “This program will have a profound impact on our communities.”

According to Kristen Baker, Executive Director of LISC Greater Cincinnati, “Today, Hamilton County is launching a critical resource for homeowners. Through the Lead Safe Hamilton County partnership, eligible homeowners can access repairs at no cost to reduce the lead risks and invest in the future of their home.”

The state's Lead Safe Ohio program will provide $95 million to support projects in 88 counties across the state. Hamilton County was awarded $5.3 million and selected LISC Greater Cincinnati to administer the program on its behalf. 

Lead Safe Ohio is administered by the Ohio Department of Development in coordination with the Ohio Department of Health. According to Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, “By working with our local  partners to identify at-risk properties and facilitate these crucial repairs, we’re building safer neighborhoods and improving the quality of life for thousands of Ohioans.” 

Homeowners in Hamilton County with homes built before 1978 may be eligible for the program. Households with incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income will be prioritized. This translates to $72,850 for a family of three and $56,650 for a single person living alone. Households above 80% AMI may be eligible if they meet eligibility requirements. Qualified lead-safe renovations will depend on your property's specific needs and the home's condition, which will be evaluated as part of the award process. The Lead Safe Hamilton County program does not require a child to live in the home.

LISC Greater Cincinnati will partner with non-profit organizations Working in Neighborhoods (WIN), a local HUD-certified housing counseling agency, and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati (Habitat), an organization that creates and preserves opportunities for affordable homeownership, to implement the program. WIN will work with homeowners to determine eligibility for the program. Habitat will manage repairs and ensure work is performed by vendors using lead-safe practices. 

Homeowners can call WIN at (513) 514-0819 to determine their eligibility for the program or email homerepair@wincincy.org. For more information on the Lead Safe program, go to leadsafehamiltoncounty.org or 513relief.org.

According to the Hamilton County Health Department, over 80 percent of all homes built before 1978 in the U.S. contain lead-based paint. Lead poisoning is most commonly caused by lead-based paint, which produces chips and dust when it deteriorates. 

ABOUT LISC

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business, and raise families. Since 1979, LISC has invested $22 billion to build or rehab more than 419,000 affordable homes and apartments and develop 70.3 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space. For more on LISC Greater Cincinnati, visit LISC.org/greater-cincinnati.

ABOUT WORKING IN NEIGHBORHOODS

Since 1978, Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) has empowered people to make informed choices for themselves and their neighborhoods through community building, home ownership, and economic learning. WIN has built or rehabbed and sold 170 homes to first-time homeowners. Each year prepares 300 people to purchase a home and provides foreclosure counseling which has resulted in saving over 2,000 homes to date. WIN builds grassroots leadership in the Beekman Corridor by training and supporting neighbors in their efforts to improve their communities. For more information, visit wincincy.org.

ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER CINCINNATI

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati is a non-profit Christian housing ministry that seeks to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati has built or rehabbed more than 690 homes throughout a nine-county region. It has also contributed to building more than 1,000 homes globally in Cambodia, El Salvador, Kenya, and Nepal. Habitat is dedicated both locally and globally to construct, rehabilitate and preserve homes; advocate for fair and just housing policies; and provide training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more on Habitat, visit habitatcincinnati.org.

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