Lead-paint law would affect some landlords
Lead-paint law would affect some landlords
Inspections required for pre-1978 properties
The following article, written by Tom Troy, appeared August 21, 2014 in The Toledo Blade. Read below, or view the contents on The Blade's website.
Advocates of a new lead-poisoning ordinance rolled out their plan Wednesday to require older rental properties in Toledo to be inspected and certified as free of a lead hazard.
Lawyer Robert Cole, of Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, or ABLE, told council members the ordinance aims for the lowest standard that can reduce lead poisoning among Toledo's children and still win City Council passage.
He emphasized the social cost of lead poisoning on young children. It can result in cognitive damage, loss of impulse control, and a greater need for special education services.
"We can really improve not only the housing conditions but the educational and economic outlook for the children living in this city," Mr. Cole said.
No place like HUD
ABLE Attorney Robert Cole comments in this article on the living conditions of the Greenbelt Place Apartments in downtown Toledo. Read below, or view on Toledo City Paper website.
No Place Like HUD
Hopes, fears hang in the balance at Greenbelt Place
Michael Pierce | Toledo City Paper
Residents of the downtown Greenbelt Place Apartments are hopeful that living conditions will improve now that the complex is under new management. If not, they have little choice but to tough it out.
Two years ago, the federally subsidized housing complex at 800 Cherry St. drew the attention of the community when its residents complained of deplorable living conditions including cockroach, rodent and bedbug infestations.
Lead Poisoning Threatens Area Low-Income and African American Children
Press Release: 08.12.14
Lead Poisoning Threatens Area Low-Income and African American Children
Prevention Ordinance Slated for City Counsel
Together, Toledoans United for Social Action (TUSA) and Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) have been working on a Lead Poisoning Prevention Ordinance for the City of Toledo.
"Lead poisoning is a serious problem in the City of Toledo and the problem is clearly concentrated in the low-income and African American communities, where most, if not all of the housing stock was built prior to 1950," says Marcia Dinkins, TUSA executive director and lead organizer.
"US Census Data from 2010 shows that more than 80,000 African American residents live in the zip codes considered high risk – this means that 96 percent of Lucas County's African American population is at risk for lead poisoning," Dinkins adds.
ACLU asks Ohio sheriffs to stop holding inmates for potential deportation
ABLE attorney Jessica Ramos was quoted in this article that appeared in the Columbus Dispatch. The article is related to the ACLU of Ohio's urging of Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott and six other sheriffs in the state to stop holding immigrants suspected of being in the U.S. illegally beyond the length of their normal jail terms.
>> Read: "ACLU asks Ohio sheriffs to stop holding inmates for potential deportation" on the Dispatch website.
People in the community react to immigrant children issue
ABLE attorney Jessica Ramos is featured in this news clip about unaccompanied immigrant children that aired on WHIO in Dayton.