LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The City of Lima is working with partners like WOCAP, the NAACP, and Daddy's at Work to turn lead removal into local jobs.
Both renters and homeowners who live in a lead-positive home built before 1978 and have children six or younger may qualify for free removal with WOCAP's lead abatement program. Many older homes may have lead in the paint as well as in the pipes, which can become airborne and have negative health effects for the entire household. Work is already underway in two Lima homes, and more are encouraged to apply.
"There's already seven houses that are scheduled for this lead abatement program, and we're actually looking for 13 more in the city to get 20 houses by the end of August," stated Thomas Jones, Lima 5th Ward City Councilman.
The program is also creating local jobs by providing classes to train and certify local contractors in lead removal, who can then work in Lima and other cities.
"I started my classes back in December; it only took a couple of days to become licensed for me to become a contractor. Me being here from Lima, born and raised, I love to say that I'm actually giving back to the community, actually making it better," stated Ira Collier Jr., lead abatement contractor.
"There's going to be other jobs that you can go ahead and bid for in different areas because it's a federal job. You can be able to apply for jobs in different areas. We just got a thing that we can pay for your stuff, as long as you apply through us, and we also got a way that you can get capital through the grants," commented A.J. Watkins, community outreach conductor for Daddy's at Work.
To see if your home qualifies, contact WOCAP at (419) 227-2586. Those interested in working in lead removal are encouraged to apply through Daddy's at Work at https://yourdaddysatwork.org/.
