Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH) is a self-funded, all-volunteer coalition of organizations that advocates for the full and timely implementation of the Cleveland Lead Safe Certificate Ordinance. The coalition includes the Cleveland Lead Safe Network, which was founded in 2017 and has since pursued lead safe housing advocacy in a city where most of the homes were constructed before lead-based paints were banned for residential use. In addition to adopting the ordinance, the coalition also advocates for an expanded scope of lead safe housing protections for Cleveland community members who are at risk for lead poisoning. Moving forward, CLASH will continue to pressure city officials to do their jobs and create a safer community for everyone, especially the vulnerable children who are being exposed to lead poisoning in their own homes.
A New York Times report in 2016 exposed a lead crisis in Cleveland on the heels of the national attention Flint, Michigan received for its water crisis. The report revealed that more than twice as many children in Cleveland than in Flint had elevated levels of lead in their blood, which can lead to physical and developmental challenges. Since a more concerted effort for lead testing began, nearly half of Cleveland kindergarteners have tested positive for lead exposure. Yvonka Hall and Spencer Wells, CLASH coalition leaders, are not surprised by the statistics and continue to work to improve racial inequities in Cleveland to ultimately improve the health and well-being of its residents. They supported the introduction of a Lead Czar in Cleveland, collected thousands of signatures to support the demand for lead poisoning legislation, and continue to advocate for the full implementation of the city’s lead safe ordinance as its rollout has so far been inadequate.
For more information:
Contact
Spencer Wells
Website
Social Media
Climate Impacts
Water Contamination
Environmental Justice Concerns
Lead Contamination
Strategies
Community Organizing and Education, Direct Relief and Aid, Fighting Industrial Contamination, Policy Reform, Political activism, including protests, petitions, and lobbying
501c3 Tax Deductible
Yes
Accepting Donations
Yes