March 31, free HUD webinar for those applying for FY16 HUD Lead Hazard Control Grants, 2:00-3:00 pm. To register, click here. 


April 19, free webinar, Beyond Flint: Tracking Lead's Toxic Threat, 1 to 2 p.m. Speakers: Allison Young, USA Today, Brie Zeltner, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Bruce Lamphear, MD, Simon Fraser University. Sponsored by USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism. To register, click here.

Save the Date: OHHN will partner with the University of Cincinnati (UC) to present the Spring Forum on June 9 in the Kresge Auditorium in the Medical Sciences Bldg at the UC College of Medicine. The event will focus on current research and practice in lead, asthma, and indoor environmental air quality. For information on Sponsorship, contact Patricia Barnes, OHHN Coordinator.

A big thank you to all who have joined OHHN for 2016. Your membership is giving OHHN critical support to promote healthy housing. It's not too late to become a member, so please send in your Agency/Organization and Individual Memberships. Join on our website www.OHHN.org (About OHHN, Membership) or, on that same page, download the membership application and mail it to OHHN with your check.

OHHN Interviewed for Plain Dealer article on 'Lead-Safe" registry

Check out the article by Rachel Dissell and Brie Zeltner, After 6 months, HUD yet to release documents key to 'lead-safe' registry, in the Plain Dealer. OHHN was asked why Ohio doesn't have a state registry of lead safe housing. It's a good question. Addresses of housing units assisted with federal funds (through lead grants, housing rehab, new construction, etc.) fall under the Freedom of Information Act yet HUD and some local and state governments do not share this information with the public. HUD even requires its lead hazard control grantees to keep a list of addresses of completed units and make the list available to the public. Some concern is over privacy (and the possible link with a lead poisoned child who might still be living in the residence) and some because properties do not stay in a 'lead-safe' condition if they are not well-maintained. However, providing addresses without identifying information does not compromise the privacy of those currently living in the units. From a family's perspective, having the addresses of properties treated for lead or substantially rehabilitated according to HUD Lead Guidelines and the date work was completed and cleared, could be very helpful. Such lists typically include a disclaimer that the property was cleared on a specific date and no guarantee is provided that the property is currently 'lead-safe'.