Detroit, MI

Detroit Lead Partnership: 5 Steps

Information - Position Statement - 5 Steps - Suggested Policy Changes

Step 1: Make 800 lead safe homes available in 2002:

• Abate lead hazards in homes using existing federal funds at the Planning and Development Department and provide new federal funding to an additional organization.
• Increase funding to organizations to conduct lead specific cleaning and interim controls to reduce lead hazards.
• Require that Community Development Corporations (CDCs) reduce lead hazards during housing rehabilitation.
• Encourage CDCs and others to construct new affordable homes in Detroit's neighborhoods.
• Assist landlords to reduce lead hazards in existing homes.

• Change the city ordinance to require that city inspections include lead hazard assessments and direct Building & Safety Engineering (B&SE) to enforce any codes regarding lead hazards and peeling paint.
• Provide B&SE funds for five inspectors who would target lead hazards.

• Use the City's parcel file to identify all housing built after 1978.
• Add to the roster all new construction and lead hazard reduction projects.
• Create a toll free number for those seeking lead safe housing to call.
• Make a database of lead safe housing accessible on the World Wide Web.
• Help each family find a lead safe home.

• Work with each Detroit physician to encourage testing.
• Fund adequate levels of staff in Detroit's Health Department to work with each family where lead is identified at the 10 ug/dL level or above.
• Working with Medicaid and HMOs to inform each family of the need for testing all children ages 6 months-6 years.

• Coordinate all City departments with responsibility for lead poisoning prevention.
• Direct the actions proposed in this five-point plan.
• Develop a comprehensive strategy in 2002 to eliminate lead poisoning of Detroit's children by 2010.
• Work with community groups, CDC's, landlords and state officials to focus resources to end lead poisoning.