More people need to become local lead inspectors if the city’s lead-safe housing program is going to be effective, and the city is partnering with businesses to offer training at a reduced cost.
Toledo’s lead-safe housing ordinance, the latest version of which was approved by Toledo City Council in October, requires rental properties with four units or fewer built before 1978 and family child-care homes built before 1978 to obtain lead-safe certificates. The move is an effort to protect Toledo’s children from lead-paint poisoning.
The law has a five-year compliance schedule, with the first and most at-risk properties required to be certified by June 30, 2022 and all to reach compliance by Dec. 31, 2026.
Stephanie Beebe, the city’s newly hired lead-safe coordinator, said licensed local lead inspectors will need to perform more than 4,000 clearance exams every year for rental owners and in-home daycare operators if the city is to reach its annual certification goals. She believes about 150 full-time local lead inspectors are needed to reach that goal.
