The Kenosha/Racine Lead-Free Communities Partnership will receive $3,996,928 and the City of Milwaukee will receive $3,900,000 from HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control to protect children and families from dangerous lead-based paint hazards.

HUD Regional Director Joe Galvan presents a $3,996,928 ceremonial check to Kenosha County Executive Allan Kehl and Racine Mayor Gary Becker (l to r: Marcia Fernholtz, Director of Racine Environmental Health; Mr. Galvan; County Executive Kehl; Mayor Becker; Frank Matteo, Director of Kenosha County Division of Health; and Janell Grammer, Racine Public Health Administrator)

Regional Director Joe Galvan presented a $3,996,928 ceremonial check to Kenosha County Executive Alan Kehl and Racine Mayor Gary Becker on January 18, 2007 to produce 400 lead-safe homes for the benefit of residents of Kenosha County and the City of Racine. The Kenosha County Division of Health will provide administrative and program oversight for the Kenosha/Racine Lead-Free Communities Partnership project. Kenosha and Racine jointly applied for the grant after working with the Wisconsin State Lead Task Force Resources Committee, which encourages potential applicants to join with each other to increase capacity and reduce competition among similar programs in neighboring cities and counties.

Four days later, Mr. Galvan presented a $3,900,000 ceremonial check to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to produce an additional 1,775 lead-safe homes in the City of Milwaukee. The Milwaukee award ceremony was held on January 22, 2007 at the Dominican Center for Women, located on Milwaukee's north side.

HUD Regional Director Joe Galvan presents a $3,900,000 ceremonial check to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Health Commissioner Bevan Baker

The Milwaukee Health Department will manage the program and work with the Dominican Center and several other community-based organizations to maximize the number of children protected from lead poisoning and to reduce the number of housing units at risk for lead hazards.

The grants for Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Racine were part of a total of $31 million in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grants announced by HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson on January 5, 2007 for communities in 8 states with older rental housing and a high incidence of lead poisoning.