Federal help for abating lead indicates extent of problem

In the past 10 years, 2,500 children in Youngstown have been diagnosed with lead poisoning. And yet earlier this year, we found ourselves taking government officials to task for fiddling with proposed lead laws that were aimed at making the prosecution of violators the rule rather than the exception and giving the health department the authority to order cleanups.
Ever since The Vindicator published a series of stories five years ago that revealed the extent to which inner city children were being poisoned because of living in homes clad in lead-based paints that were peeling or chipping from the walls, we have been unyielding in our demand that the safety of children come first.
But while we are disappointed with the commitment of this and past city administrations, we are heartened by the reaction of the federal government. In response to The Vindicator series, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development took a close look at the city's lead abatement program. That review is paying dividends.
Last week, HUD Secretary Mel Martinez announced the allocation of $147 million in grants, including $3.5 million for Mahoning County's lead abatement program. Most of the money will be spent in Youngstown.
"Whether it's eliminating lead hazards in housing or studying new ways to make our homes healthier, the funds we announce today are all designed to protect our most precious resource -- our children," said Martinez. "Today we continue HUD's investment in making our homes a healthier and safer place for parents to raise their kids."
HUD's goals
The grants will help 70 local programs around the country to remove potentially dangerous lead from lower income homes; to stimulate private sector investment in lead hazard control; to educate the public about the dangers of lead-based paint; to fund model programs promoting healthier and safer home environments; and, to support scientific research into innovative methods of identifying and eliminating health hazards in housing, according to HUD.
Of the $3.5 million Mahoning County is receiving, $2.6 million will be shared with Akron for use in removing lead from homes, and $900,000 will go toward making homes environmentally safe for children with asthma, said Gary Singer, program director.
Why Akron? Because a joint application gave the region a competitive edge. The competition for the federal dollars was intense, with every major metropolitan area vying for grants.
But the federal money is only one aspect of what needs to be done to protect Youngstown's children from lead poisoning. Prosecution of landlords who have thumbed their noses at the law must be stepped up.
The newspaper series revealed that some of the worst offenders of the city's lead laws live in the suburbs. They must be disabused of the notion that the health of Youngstown's children is less important than the health of suburban children. Hefty fines and even jail for repeat offenders are justified.
Just because there will be money available to tackle some of the 400 homes with lead hazards does not mean the property owners should be let off the hook.
The federal government has met its obligation. It's city government's turn.