Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer Releases Report Laying out a Roadmap for Next Steps in Lead Safe Program

Jun 25, 2025

Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer (Ward 12) released a new report today titled Lead Safe Housing at a Crossroads, which lays out a road map for next steps in realizing the dream of Cleveland’s 2019 lead law. 

The report comes on the heels of multiple City Council hearings, news stories, and a recent meeting of the Lead Safe Advisory Board that highlighted both progress and challenges. Councilwoman Maurer, who serves as Co-Chair of the Lead Safe Advisory Board and Vice Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, agrees: “We have come a long way, but we haven’t gone nearly far enough.” 

She adds, “That’s why this report highlights the need to iterate on the program and especially speed up spending on the physical improvements to Cleveland properties. We need to focus on measurable outcomes like replacing old wood windows and doors. Those types of replacements are how we can create generational changes, not just create more paperwork and red tape.”

The report outlines three key recommendations:

• Simplify: Cut red tape to speed up how funds are disbursed for lead-safe repairs
• Focus: Target the highest-risk properties and components, such as old windows.
• Coordinate: Improve transparency and coordination across the public and private sides of the lead-safe ecosystem.

“At the end of the day, we need to measure what really matters: whether homes are being made safer,” Councilwoman Maurer said. “And then we hope in the years to come that those investment will drive a decrease in our high number of lead poisoning cases. That is complex work, and that’s why I’m releasing a report with detailed recommendations about next steps. 

Read the full report.