Rep. McNally Honored as Ohio Healthy Homes Network's Legislator of the Year

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) Friday announced that she was chosen as the Ohio Healthy Homes Network (OHHN) Legislator of the Year. This award was presented to Rep. McNally at OHHN’s annual conference in Gahanna, Ohio. The conference united public health officials, community leaders, property owners, and health professionals in the fight against lead poisoning.

“I am honored to be named Legislator of the Year by OHHN. Having a home, one that you worked so hard for, that is safe is so important to the health and happiness of the people I serve. I will continue to advocate for lead abatement training and lead abatement programs so that every home that needs it can be served. I would love to see the end of lead poisoning in our community. I would love to see all of us living healthier and happier lives in safe, lead free homes,” said Rep. McNally.

Mahoning County has a high percentage of homes built before 1980 and could have lead paint, glass, pipes, or other traces of lead. In 2024, there were 189 Mahoning County children with confirmed elevated blood lead levels. The best way to prevent lead poisoning is to either to completely rid the home of lead or do lead abatement that will make the home non-toxic. Lead poisoning can be devastating for a child’s development. Mahoning County has a few programs that help with lead abatement. These include, but are not limited to:

• Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program (CHIP) – Mahoning County Commissioners
• Home Repairs and Maintenance – Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation
• Lead Hazard Control Grant – Mahoning County, Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control
• Home Weatherization Assistance Program – MYCAP
• Very Low Income Housing Repair Program – USDA Rural Development
   

OHHN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit statewide organization whose mission is to promote healthy, safe, and affordable housing for people of all ages. OHHN was formed in 1997 as Help End Lead Poisoning and continues to focus on ensuring that Ohio families have access to lead-safe housing. In 2011, OHHN expanded its mission to focus more broadly to address health-related housing issues like indoor environmental quality and establishing and preserving affordable, healthy housing. They advocate for solutions to lead, radon, mold, and bed bugs. OHHN is a member of the Leadership Team for the Ohio Lead Free Kids Coalition, a collection of organizations and individuals who share a deep and urgent concern about the potentially life-long harm caused by lead poisoning.