Louisville housing registry aimed at child lead exposure takes effect. Here’s how it works

Louisville: A new law is kicking in this month to tackle lead-based paint in rental homes. This is a big deal for protecting kids from a serious health risk.

So, here’s the scoop. Property owners with rentals built before 1978 need to register their homes in a Lead-Safe Housing Registry. They’ll also have to get a lead-hazard risk assessment done by a certified inspector. If they find any lead hazards, they must fix them or face penalties.

Officials from the Department of Public Health and Wellness just announced that the registry is open for business. Connie Mendel, a health strategist, said this is a huge step in preventing lead exposure before it even happens.

Lead is especially harmful to young kids. It can mess with their brain development and lead to learning issues. Sadly, nearly 10,000 kids in Louisville had elevated lead levels in their blood from 2005 to 2021, mostly due to lead paint.

Last year, a deep dive by The Courier Journal revealed the extent of the lead crisis in Louisville, showing that kids in certain areas are at a much higher risk. The new law could be the strongest action against childhood lead poisoning in the city in decades.

Louisville’s Metro Council passed this ordinance unanimously back in 2022, giving everyone time to get ready. Landlords have to find and fix lead hazards within a specific timeframe, using certified inspectors.

Before this law, lead hazards were often discovered only after a child had already been exposed, which is way too late. Experts stress that lead’s damage is permanent.

As of now, property owners need to register homes built before 1940 by November 30, 2025, and those built between 1940 and 1965 by November 30, 2026. The deadline for homes built between 1966 and 1978 is November 30, 2027.

Even though the registry just opened, officials are still waiting for the first registration. Once they start coming in, inspection results will be available to the public.

There’s been some pushback from the real estate industry about the number of certified inspectors available. But over 100 new inspectors have completed training since the law passed.

This ordinance is inspired by similar laws in other cities, like Rochester, New York, which saw a significant drop in lead exposure after implementing their own regulations.

Experts believe Louisville has thousands of properties with lead issues. But with this new registry, there’s hope for a healthier future for the city’s kids.