Public Comment Requested on Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program

The City of Toledo is seeking public comment on its proposed four-year Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program. On or after March 18, 2026, the City of Toledo intends to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program funds under Section 1011 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to undertake the following project:

Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program.

Purpose: Program involves control of lead-based paint hazards and healthy homes interventions of 141 single-family (1-4) residential units built before 1978 in the City of Toledo.

• Though the program will cover the entire city, priority will be given to a focused area consisting of forty-one census tracts.
• Units must be primary residences of children under the age of six or a pregnant woman.Units where children under the age of six visit regularly but do not reside will qualify to participate in the program.
• The program will benefit households whose incomes do not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• Only units determined by State of Ohio licensed Lead Risk Assessors to contain lead-based paint hazards will participate in the program.

The Lead Risk Assessors will determine the nature and scope of lead hazards and the type of control method to be applied to address the problem. State of Ohio licensed Lead Contractors will participate in the program. Community and education pertaining to lead hazards in housing and screening of blood levels in children will be included in the program.

The average per unit cost for lead will be $30,000. The average unit cost to address healthy homes hazards will be $15,000.

The primary goals of the program are to reduce lead-based paint hazards such as lead dust, peeling paint, and repairs to prevent paint failures. Healthy Homes interventions will but not limited to pest management, asbestos mitigation, mold and moisture mitigation, electric hazards, falling hazards, carbon monoxide, fire, and fuel combustion hazards.

The time period of performance is March 2, 2026 - March 1, 2030 (48 months). Although individual units have not been identified at this time, environmental reviews will be conducted for each identified property before construction activities begin. Individual sites will be reviewed for compliance with federal laws and authorities listed in 24 CFR Part 58.

Location: Although the program will cover the entire city, priority will be given to a focused area consisting of 41 census tracts. They are: 4.00, 8.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.02, 13.02, 4.00, 16.00, 17.00, 18.00, 19.00, 22.00, 24.01, 24.02, 25.00, 28.00, 29.00, 30.00, 31.00, 32.00, 33.00, 35.00, 36.0.0, 37.00, 39.00, 40.00, 42.00, 44.00, 46.00, 47.01, 47.02, 48.00, 50.00, 51.00, 53.00, 54.00, 68.00, 73.03, 74.00, 85.00, and 103.00.

Project/Program Description: Lead abatement, pest management, asbestos mitigation, mold and moisture mitigation, electric hazards mitigation, carbon monoxide, fire, and fuel hazard mitigation. Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.

Level of Environmental Review Citation: 58.35(a)(3)(i)

Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Historic Preservation, National Flood Insurance Program requirements, Contamination and Toxic Substances, and Floodplain Management.

Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits: Focus on four measures for compliance

Flood Insurance: Proof of flood insurance will be required, if a Tier-2 site is found to be in a floodplain.

Contamination and Toxic Substances: It is HUD policy that projects that involve the use of federal funds be free of contamination and hazardous materials, radioactive substances, toxic chemicals and gases that can affect the health and safety of residents. Site visits will be conducted for every site-specific project to ensure that the property is not contaminated. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) will be used as a resource to conduct environmental review of properties. Ohio EPA and/or the City of Toledo's Environmental Services will be contacted when situations with potential negative impact on the environment are encountered during review of a project.

Floodplain Management: If work is to be completed in these areas, a Tier 2-site specific review, including 5-Step or 8-Step floodplain process screening, would need to be completed.

Historic Preservation: The City of Toledo has a Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) which outlines a process for historic reviews. Each identified property will be reviewed per the stipulations in Section 106. Items not covered by the PA will be sent to SHPO for review.

Estimated Project Cost:
HUD LEAD AMOUNT: $7,000,000.00
HEALTHY HOMES: $750,000.00
MATCH AMOUNT: $700,000.00
TOTAL: $8,450,000.00

The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 58.35(a)(4). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the City of Toledo, Department of Housing and Community Development and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 A.M to 3:30 P.M. or at https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews.The ERR will also be made available to the public for review electronically.

Public Comment
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Toledo, Department of Housing and Community Development. All comments received by March 17, 2026, will be considered by the City of Toledo prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Please submit your request to Andrew.sager@toledo.oh.gov.

Environmental Certification
The City of Toledo certifies to HUD that Wade Kapszukiewicz, Certifying Officer, in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Toledo to use HUD program funds.

Objections To Release of Funds
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Toledo’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Toledo; (b) the City of Toledo has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes at OLHCHHPECOS@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.Wade Kapszukiewicz, Certifying Officer

The City of Toledo supports the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the City of Toledo ADA coordinator at (419) 245-1902 or submit a request online at toledo.oh.gov/ada.