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 MI
Gets HUD Grant for Lead abatement
HUD Awards Nearly $29 Million to Protect Thousands of
Children From Dangerous Lead Hazards.
from PR Newswire, July 17, 2003
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Top Programs in Nine States Receive
Renewed Funding
Eleven communities that currently operate highly successful lead
hazard control programs will be able to continue protecting
thousands of children because of nearly $29 million awarded
today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez.
The grants by HUD will enable the programs to continue their
work for another three years.
In addition to the HUD grants awarded today, these programs
expect to generate an estimated $13.4 million in local funding
to build upon their excellent work in controlling lead-based
paint hazards.
"These programs really are among the best of the best," said
Martinez. "Each has demonstrated an ability to make their
program a model for others in the country to imitate. In the
end, more children and families living in low- income housing
will be protected from potentially dangerous lead poisoning."
The following communities received funding:
Community/State; Grant Amount
San Diego County, California; $ 674,177
Chicago Illinois; $3,000,000
Kankakee, Illinois; $3,000,000
Madison County, Illinois; $3,000,000
Somerville, Massachusetts; $2,071,247
Baltimore, Maryland; $2,998,474
State of Michigan, Michigan; $3,000,000
St. Paul - Ramsey County, Minnesota; $1,800,000
Albany, New York; $3,000,000
Cleveland, Ohio; $2,999,649
State of Vermont, Vermont; $3,000,000
Total $28,543,547
The funding announced today is part of HUD's $176 million
commitment this year to protect children from lead and other
home health and safety hazards.
Earlier this
month, HUD also made available nearly $50 million in lead hazard
control funding to communities with the greatest need. Areas
with the highest lead-based paint abatement needs are defined as
having the highest number of pre-1940 rental units and a
disproportionately high number of documented cased of
lead-poisoned children. This funding helps communities to pay
for the costs of inspections, risk assessments, temporary
relocations and controlling lead hazards in low-income,
privately owned housing.
HUD's Healthy
Homes and Lead Hazard Control grants are targeted to low- income
privately owned homes most likely to expose children to health
hazards.
Lead poisoning in children can reduce IQ, cause learning
disabilities and impair hearing. Children who have elevated
blood lead levels often experience reduced attention spans, are
hyperactive and can exhibit behavior problems. At higher
exposures, lead can damage a child's kidneys and central nervous
system and cause anemia, coma, convulsions and even death.
Nearly one half million of the nation's children under age six
have blood lead levels high enough to impair the ability to
think, concentrate and learn.
Since the landmark Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction
Act became law more than 10 years ago, millions of children have
been protected from dangerous lead. Though average blood lead
levels have declined significantly over the past decade, one in
six low-income children living in older housing is believed to
be lead poisoned. Pregnant women poisoned by lead can transfer
lead to a developing fetus, resulting in adverse developmental
effects.
It is estimated that 26 million fewer homes contain lead-based
paint compared to 1990 when the Department's Lead Hazard Control
program began. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention reports the average amount of lead in children's
blood has declined by 25% from 1996-99. Ten years ago, there was
no federal funding dedicated to lead hazard control work in
privately owned housing; today, the HUD program is active in
over 250 jurisdictions across the country.
HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing
homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating
affordable and decent housing opportunities for low-income
Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with
disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also
promotes economic and community development as well as enforces
the nation's fair housing laws.
SOURCE U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
This article was
passed on to us by:
Kids Count in Michigan
Michigan League for Human Services
1115 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 202
Lansing, MI 48912
Tel. 517/487-5436
Toll free: 800/837-5436
Fax: 517/371-4546
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