A little boy standing in front of a wooden wall.

CNY Community Foundation Backs New Lead Ordinance

The Central New York Community Foundation announced today that it endorses proposed legislation put forth by the Syracuse Common Council to make the presence of lead a housing code violation during interior housing inspections.

The Central New York Community Foundation announced today that it endorses proposed legislation put forth by the Syracuse Common Council to make the presence of lead a housing code violation during interior housing inspections. This is the first local policy endorsement of its kind from the region’s largest charitable foundation.

“The Community Foundation has been an amazing partner, collaborating with both the city and county to address the lead crisis,” said Joe Driscoll, District 5 Syracuse Common Councilor. “Its advocacy around this legislation is crucial in raising awareness and support around this issue.”

The proposed legislation, based on the release of a third-party Draft Generic Environmental Impact Study, is designed to build upon the July 2018 amendment to city regulation that instituted internal inspections on one- and two-unit rental properties. Up until this point, landlords could only be cited for visible chipping or peeling paint. The ordinance would require mandatory wipes to check for lead-contaminated dust.

policy paper recently released by the Community Foundation explains that the proposed ordinance is the ‘missing link’ in a network of solutions put forth over the past few years to decrease childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse. In 2018, more than 10 percent of Syracuse children tested were shown to have elevated lead levels, according to the Onondaga County Health Department.

“Our community is not standing still, but rather making a progressive, systematic change in addressing lead poisoning in our children,” said Peter Dunn, Community Foundation President & CEO. “The passage of this lead ordinance would close the loop on a new infrastructure of vigilance that will identify the problem of lead exposure instead of waiting to address the negative outcomes.”

A one-month public commenting period for the proposed ordinance opens on February 5. Dunn says the Community Foundation’s endorsement is intended to spur discussion and encourage residents to make their voices heard by lawmakers before the Council’s vote in April.

“As a community, lead poisoning is affecting our children first and foremost,” said Dunn. “We hope that residents living inside and outside of the city provide input in support of this ordinance. Our children’s future depends on it.”

Community members will be invited to give their input online or via email. In addition, an in-person public forum is scheduled for 5:30 pm on February 12 in Common Council Chambers at City Hall.

“Thanks to a strong coalition of public and private partners, led by Fifth District Councilor Joe Driscoll, and buoyed by the significant financial support and partnership of the CNY Community Foundation, the City of Syracuse is poised to adopt a new lead ordinance that will protect our most at-risk children,” said Mayor Ben Walsh. “Together, we will wipe out the threat of lead to our children once and for all.”

The Community Foundation’s endorsement follows a 4-year, $2 million commitment announced by the organization in late 2018 to help end childhood lead poisoning in the city. Since then, more than $780,000 has been awarded to nonprofit organizations through its LeadSafeCNY initiative. In an Action Statement published on its website, the Community Foundation states that it is taking action now because “lead poisoning is entirely preventable,” yet it currently hinders children’s ability to enter the classroom ready to learn.

View the Community Foundation’s policy paper: “A Steady March Forward: The Critical Next Step to Address Lead Poisoning in Syracuse

 

Related Stories

Greater Pulaski Community Fund Logo
News Releases March 15, 2023

Pulaski Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications

Proposals are encouraged from a variety of program areas, including education, health, social services, arts ...

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

hand holding growing money
Stories March 7, 2023

SECURE 2.0 Introduces Legacy IRA and a Boost for QCDs

Hear from Jan Lane, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, about the three key provisions affecting philanthropists ...

News Releases March 7, 2023

Now Accepting Applications for the Frederick K. Kilian Memorial Scholarship

Two scholarships of $3,050 will be awarded and may be renewable annually for up to ...

Students sitting around a table using laptops
Stories March 2, 2023

Junior Achievement Supports Students with Virtual Learning Program

Finding a career can feel like a heavy weight on youths’ shoulders and support may ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Teamwork. CNYCF
News Releases February 8, 2023

Community Feedback Results: A Message from our President and CEO

Over the past several months, the Community Foundation embarked on a journey of evaluation that ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

Greater Pulaski Community Fund Logo
News Releases March 15, 2023

Pulaski Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications

Proposals are encouraged from a variety of program areas, including education, health, social services, arts ...

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

hand holding growing money
Stories March 7, 2023

SECURE 2.0 Introduces Legacy IRA and a Boost for QCDs

Hear from Jan Lane, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, about the three key provisions affecting philanthropists ...

News Releases March 7, 2023

Now Accepting Applications for the Frederick K. Kilian Memorial Scholarship

Two scholarships of $3,050 will be awarded and may be renewable annually for up to ...

Students sitting around a table using laptops
Stories March 2, 2023

Junior Achievement Supports Students with Virtual Learning Program

Finding a career can feel like a heavy weight on youths’ shoulders and support may ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Teamwork. CNYCF
News Releases February 8, 2023

Community Feedback Results: A Message from our President and CEO

Over the past several months, the Community Foundation embarked on a journey of evaluation that ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

View More