HUD AWARDS $7.5 MILLION TO PROTECT OHIO 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 $7,500,000 in grants to three local projects in Ohio 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.

Mahoning County will be awarded $2,300,000 in Lead Based Hazard Control grant program funding and an additional $200,000 in Healthy Homes Initiative funding. Mahoning County will address lead hazards in 170 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. Mahoning County will also perform healthy homes assessments in 40 units. Mahoning County will collaborate with the District Board of Health.

The Ohio Department of Health will be awarded $2,300,000 in Lead Based Hazard Control grant program funding and an additional $200,000 in Healthy Homes Initiative funding. The Ohio Department of Health will address lead hazards in 185 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The Ohio Department of Health will also perform healthy homes assessments in no fewer than 20 units. The Ohio Department of Health will collaborate with the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Ohio Development Services Agency and local targeted municipalities.

The Summit County Combined General Health District will be awarded $2,300,000 in Lead Based Hazard Control grant program funding and an additional $200,000 in Healthy Homes Initiative funding. The Summit County Combined General Health District will address lead hazards in 140 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children.

Summit County will also perform healthy homes assessments in 140 units. Summit County will collaborate with the SCDOD, City of Akron Department of Planning and Urban Development, County of Summit, City of Barberton, City of Cuyahoga Falls, International Institute of Akron, Fair Housing Contact Service, Nazareth Housing Development Corporation, Rebuilding Together, Community Legal Aid, Summit Family & Children First Council, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Akron Community Health Resources, Summit County Children Services, Neighborhood Conservation Services of Barberton, Info Line, Summit County Juvenile Court and Akron Locust Pediatric Care Group.

"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 Ohio 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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