What you need to know:
The Richland County Land Bank currently has two programs to help low-income homeowners with needed renovations. Applications for Lead Safe Ohio and the Thriving Home program are available at richlandcountylandbank.org.
MANSFIELD — Windows with scratched or chipping paint. Aging siding and old gutters. A time-weathered front door with bent, warped hinges.
These aren’t just signs off an old home or items on an improvement wish list.
In some cases, they could be harboring lead — a heavy metal that can be toxic and harmful to human health, even in small doses.
The Richland County Land Bank recently received a second round of funds from Ohio’s Lead Safe program, which provides low-income homeowners financial assistance for repairs that mitigate the risk of lead exposure.
The county land bank was originally allocated $1.358 million in Lead Safe funds in November 2023. The board used those funds to assist 28 local property owners, Hamrick said last month.
Ohio lawmakers chose not to continue the program last year, but Hamrick said the state is in the process of reclaiming and re-allocating unused Lead Safe Ohio funds awarded to other areas of the state.
As a result, the Richland County Land Bank now has $400,000 in additional Lead Safe Funds.
“We’re honored the state trusts us with the extra funds,” Hamrick said.
Lead Safe Ohio funds can be used for a variety of home improvements that mitigate the presence of lead in a home.
Eligible projects can include replacing siding, windows, exterior doors, downspouts, gutters, exterior trim, fascia or soffit. Funding can also be used to repair or replace porches.
Lead Safe, Thriving Home programs aimed at improving aging housing stock
Hamrick said Tuesday that the land bank has received more than 60 applications for Lead Safe and its other housing assistance program, Thriving Home.
Lead Safe funds are likely to be awarded first, since the state-funded program has a deadline of June 30 for funds to be spent.
Hamrick said the land bank may approve Thriving Home applications for the Lead Safe program instead, if they meet the program requirements. Homeowners cannot be awarded funds from both programs.
Lead Safe applicants will be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis — provided they are eligible. Applications are available on the land bank’s website.
Lead-based paint was commonly used in homes before it was banned by the federal government in 1978.
A study on Richland County’s housing stock in 2022 found almost 75 percent of the county’s housing stock was built before 1979.
The Lead Safe Ohio program requires the land bank to prioritize households with an income at or below 80 percent of the average median income.
However, a household with an income up to 120 percent of the average median income can be eligible if the owner can document housing insecurity.
For the purpose of the Lead Safe Ohio program, housing insecurity is defined as an uncertainty of the home’s safety and concern that occupants could be jeopardized due to lead-based paint concerns.
Residential properties, including both owner-occupied and rental units, can have up to $50,000 of lead-safe renovations covered. Childcare centers and congregate care facilities are also eligible to receive up to capped at $100,000.
Thriving Home offers $25,000 to low-income property owners, but requires a match
The land bank launched the Thriving Home program this year with a $750,000 grant from the Richland County Foundation.
The program will provide grants of up to $25,000 to applicants who meet income eligibility requirements for approved home improvement costs. The funds will be enough to help at least 30 homeowners over the next three years.
Hamrick said the goal of the Thriving Home program is to stabilize Richland County’s housing stock by funding home improvements that keep houses from falling into disrepair.
Another aim is to prevent at-risk residents from becoming homeless and assist owner occupants who may not qualify for other low income rehab assistance programs, according to the land bank’s funding application to the Richland County Foundation.
Owner-occupants living in Richland County are eligible for Thriving Home they earn no more than 120 percent of the area median income.
The program is similar to Lead Safe with a couple key differences.
Only owner-occupants are eligible for the Thriving Home program. Homes must be built in or before 2000 (Lead Safe homes must be built in or before 1978).
While homeowners can apply for Thriving Home funds to address lead safety issues, Hamrick said this program won’t be limited to just lead-remediating projects.
Eligible repairs can be aimed at reducing utility costs, improving energy efficiency, enhancing health and safety and/or reducing blight.
More specifically, funds can be used for windows, exterior doors, siding, roofing, fascia and soffit, gutters and downspouts, porch repair, tree trimming and removal and/or garage repair or demolition.
Thriving Home beneficiaries will be required to cover 15 percent of the total rehab cost. Mechanics Bank will offer a five-year, fixed-interest rate loans to recipients.
More information on lead exposure in homes
For decades, lead was a common ingredient in paint, plumbing and even ceramics. The federal government banned lead-based paint for consumer use in 1978, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates lead-based paint is still present in millions of homes.
While lead-based paint poses minimal risk if it’s under one or more in-tact layers of newer paint, it can pose a health hazard when located on surfaces that undergo significant wear and tear. Common examples include windows and window sills, doors and door frames, stairs, railings, banisters and porches.
During a board meeting Tuesday, the land bank:
- Approved the sale of two vacant, land bank-owned parcels at 22 Summit St. in Shelby to Trisha Tenpenny Wagner for $1,500. Wagner intends to build a single-family home on the site.
- Awarded an $18,400 contract to Hudson and Roth to “green” approximately 12 acres of vacant land at the former Westinghouse site. The scope of the work includes bringing in topsoil and fill dirt to level off the property and fill in low spots, then spreading 225 pounds of grass seed per acre and 150 pounds of starter fertilizer per acre. The land bank received two other bids for the work from Rex’s Landscaping ($18,800) and Hockenberry Trucking and Excavating ($21,445).
- Voted to approve a $2,750 contract with Shucking Bubba, a cover band, to play at the WestingHOUSE Party on June 13.
