The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a grant exceeding $17 million to MetroHealth System and seven partnering community organizations in Cleveland. This funding aims to reduce indoor air pollution and tackle environmental and climate justice challenges in disadvantaged communities.
The grant is part of the Inflation Reduction Act program, described as the largest single investment in environmental justice, under President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore emphasized the health benefits for Cleveland-area residents with asthma, stating, “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, people will have healthier homes and be able to breathe easier.”
Rep. Shontel Brown highlighted the local impact of federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, praising it as an innovative healthcare strategy program. Dr. Ash Sehgal from The MetroHealth System and Case Western Reserve University noted that replacing gas stoves with electric ones would significantly reduce indoor air pollution for Cleveland residents with asthma.
MetroHealth and its partners plan to identify 1,200 households with at least one resident suffering from asthma. The initiative includes replacing gas ranges with electric ones, upgrading kitchen electrical systems, improving ventilation, offering financial incentives for cleaner electricity suppliers, and installing outlets for future electric car use.
The coalition carrying out these tasks includes Community Housing Solutions, Rebuilding Together Northeast Ohio, Metro West Community Development Organization, Tremont West Development Corporation, Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation, Slavic Village Development, and Ohio City Incorporated.
Residents of Cleveland and surrounding areas are eligible to participate in this program. Interested individuals can contact Community Housing Solutions or other participating organizations for more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act allocates $3 billion to the EPA for grants aiding disadvantaged communities. These efforts align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative aimed at ensuring that 40 percent of certain federal investments benefit marginalized communities overburdened by pollution.
For more details on the Community Change Grants program and technical assistance, visit EPA’s website.
