HUD Region V No. 13-22 Laura J. Feldman (312) 913-8332 |
For Release Thursday May 23, 2013 |
HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $7.13 MILLION TO PROTECT ILLINOIS CHILDREN FROM LEAD AND OTHER HOME HAZARDS
Funding to make low-income housing safer and healthier
CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $7,131,092 million in grants to three local projects in Illinois to protect children and families from the hazards of lead-based paint and from other home health and safety hazards.
The awards are a part of $98.3 million in funds awarded to 38 projects across the country to clean up lead paint hazards and other health hazards in 6,373 high-risk homes, train workers in lead-safe work practices, and increase public awareness about childhood lead poisoning. Lead is a known toxin that can impair children's development and have effects lasting into adulthood.
The City of Moline will be awarded $2,300,000 in Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant program funding and an additional $200,000 in Healthy Homes Initiative funding. The City of Moline will address lead hazards in 152 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The City will also perform healthy homes assessments in 22 units. The City of Moline will collaborate with the Rock Island, East Moline, Sterling, Project NOW, Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation and Rock Island County Health Department.
The St. Clair Intergovernmental Grants Department will be awarded $1,635,563 in Lead Based Paint Hazard Control grant program funding. The St. Clair Intergovernmental Grants Department will address lead hazards 115 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The St. Clair Intergovernmental Grants Department will collaborate with the City of East St. Louis, local schools, St. Clair County Health Department, Eastside Health District, and Southern Illinois Health Care Foundation.
The Winnebago County Health Department will be awarded $2,995,529.64 in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant program funding. The Winnebago County Health Department will address lead hazards in 225 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The Winnebago County Health Department will collaborate with the Alpine Inn, Crusader Community Health, LA VOZ LATINA, A Latino Community Resource Center, Public Health and Safety Inc., Rockford Apartment Association, City of Rockford - Community and Economic Development Department, Stenes Contractors Inc., Taylor Made Carpentry and Think People Inc.
"Childhood lead poisoning is completely preventable and that's exactly what these funds are designed to do," said HUD Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones. "The communities receiving these grants are helping their children grow up brighter, safer and healthier."
"Providing healthy and safe homes for families and children is a top priority for HUD," said Antonio R. Riley, HUD's Midwest Regional Administrator. "HUD is committed to protecting Illinois children from the hazards that can be caused by deteriorated lead paint and mold."
These grant programs of HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control promote local efforts to eliminate dangerous lead hazards from lower income homes; stimulate private sector investment in lead hazard control; and educate the public about the dangers of lead-based paint.
Lead Hazard Control Grant Programs
Even though lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, HUD estimates that approximately 24 million homes still have significant lead-based paint hazards today. Lead-contaminated dust is the primary cause of lead exposure and can lead to a variety of health problems in young children, including reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, reduced height, and impaired hearing. At higher levels, lead can damage a child's kidneys and central nervous system and cause anemia, coma, convulsions and even death.
The funding announced today directs critical funds to cities, counties and states to eliminate dangerous lead paint hazards in thousands of privately-owned, low-income housing units. These funds are provided through HUD's Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control and Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant programs. To expand the reach of HUD's Lead Hazard Control Program. HUD is also providing over $4.4 million to help communities transform their lead hazard control programs to address multiple housing-related hazards.
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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on Twitter at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.