CLEVELAND — A new report from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development shows the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority failed to report elevated blood lead levels (EBLL) in children. CMHA blamed it on a clerical error.
CMHA also confirmed findings in the report that says between 2020 and 2022, 11 children tested positive for EBLL while living in CMHA housing. The report went on to say that CMHA not only failed to report the issue but also didn’t comply with federal regulations.
"It's children, and ... someone's got to look out for children," Kevin Conwell, Cleveland City Councilman for Ward 9, said as he expressed his frustrations with the report. "You guys (CMHA) did not look out for those children. That's burning in my soul and in my heart."
The report claimed CMHA did not comply with HUD's reporting and verification requirements for cases of children with EBLL. It also mentioned that CMHA didn't visit 59 units within the required timeframe, nine of which housed a child under the age of 6.
"One occurrence is too many, so 10 occurrences is not something, in any respect, to minimize," Jeffrey Wade, chief of staff and special counsel to the CEO of the CMHA. Wade could not explain the reporting issue, but he said the matter has been fixed.
The inspector general's report called on CMHA to modify and address reporting concerns. At a public hearing Wednesday, CMHA CEO Jeffery K. Patterson said he is open to working with community agencies to mitigate lead in CMHA properties.
"I have no problem, as a result of this conversation and these hearings, if we are able to work collectively with others to find ways to support financially an initiative within CMHA of awareness and training," he stated.
However, councilmembers' faith in CMHA appeared to be shaken.
"It’s our jobs as parents, our jobs as adults, to look out for children," Conwell said. "Children (have) got to know they can count on you, and you guys did not look out for those children."
However, Wade insisted that once CMHA discovered those instances of EBLL, it followed proper protocol.
"CMHA did everything that it ought to have done about those instances of EBLL in children," he claimed.
In its presentation, CMHA indicated it visited each living space where children with EBLL were discovered and found no lead paint hazards. It also says it continues to follow up with families to provide necessary aftercare services.
However, the agency also admitted to mistakes in the way it communicated with HUD.
"What it did not do was that connection point between CHMA and HUD," Wade said, pointing to communication improvements the department has made in the years since. "The report itself corroborates that beginning in January 2023 and through today, any new instances are being reported as the department requires."
But longtime Cleveland resident Darrick Wade has a different perspective.
"For CMHA to say that they don't know the procedures in this year, 2024, that's ridiculous to me," Darrick said wistfully, while standing at his deceased son's gravesite.
His son, Demetrius, died in 2007 after issues with his heart, throat, liver, and kidney. Demetrius was raised in CMHA housing since he was an infant and tested positive for EBLL as a young child.
"Once a child is poisoned, that's a continuation of damage to their organs," he explained, with the belief that EBLL contributed to the issues that killed his son. "So lead being a disguised disease and toxin, you don't know which part of the body that child will be affected."
The audit report also states that CMHA did not follow reevaluation requirements. Leadership points to pandemic-related challenges at the time, saying they were trying to minimize human contact in close spaces. They also say lessons were learned.
"We know that if we cannot gain access to a unit, for example, that we need to go back to that unit so that we can visualize conditions in the unit," Jeffrey Wade (no relation) commented.
But once it's time for a reevaluation, a child might already be sick with EBLL. Darrick Wade had a powerful plea to any parents who are living the nightmare he has already experienced.
"As soon as you find out there are elevated lead levels, you must fix that problem," he emphasized. "I would say to parents, get your children tested."
For CMHA's full report at Wednesday's hearing, click the link here or view the document below.