MANSFIELD — The Richland County Land Bank may receive more state money to help homeowners update properties and reduce lead exposure.
The land bank is currently winding down its work with Lead Safe Ohio program, which used funds from the Ohio Department of Development to provide $50,000 grants to low-income homeowners.
The land bank was originally allocated $1.358 million in November 2023.
Executive Director Amy Hamrick said the land bank has committed the last of its funds. The program assisted 28 local property owners.
While Ohio lawmakers didn’t choose to continue funding the program, 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 may receive up to $400,000, she said.
Hamrick shared the news at a land bank meeting Wednesday. The board voted to accept the additional funds if awarded and commit to completing all projects by the state’s deadline of June 30.
Hamrick said she wasn’t told when the state would finalize funding reallocations.
“We should get an agreement soon — that’s all they told me,” she said.
Meanwhile, the land bank recently launched its own program, Thriving Home, to build on Lead Safe’s success.
Hamrick said she hopes to have Thriving Home applications on the land bank’s website by the end of the week.
Lead Safe applications will be approved on a first come, first serve basis
If the land bank is awarded extra funds, 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.
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.
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.
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 capped at $100,000.
Lead-based paint was commonly used in home construction and remodeling until was banned by the U.S. government in 1978 over health and safety concerns.
Thus, it’s likely features like wood siding and windows have been covered with lead-based paint in older homes.