HUD AWARDS $10,300,000 TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN TENNESSEE FROM LEAD AND OTHER HOME HAZARDS
Funding to make low-income housing safer and healthier

KNOXVILLE - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $10,300,000 in grants to Tennessee 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.

"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 Ed Jennings, Regional Administrator, Region IV. "HUD is committed to protecting Tennessee children from the hazards that can be caused by deteriorated lead paint, and mold that follows moisture intrud-ing into the home."

The City of Knoxville was 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 Knoxville will address lead hazards in 250 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The City of Knoxville will also perform healthy homes assessments in 100 units. The City of Knoxville will collaborate with the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee. Contact Person: Mr. Todd Kennedy, 865-215-4476, tkennedy@cityofknoxville.org.

The City of Memphis was awarded $3,000,000 in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant program funding. The City of Memphis will address lead hazards in 195 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The City of Memphis will collaborate with the Shelby County and Memphis Light, Gas and Water, Le Bonheur Community Health and Well Being and the city health department. Contact Person: Robert Lipscomb, 901-544-1102, Robert.lipscomb@memphistn.gov.

Shelby County was awarded $2,100,000 in Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant program funding and an additional $200,000 in Healthy Homes Initiative funding. Shelby County will address lead hazards in 156 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The County will also perform healthy homes assessments 40 units. Shelby County will collaborate with the Shelby County Health Department, Shelby County Community Services Agency, City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development the Works, Inc., and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. Contact Person: Mr. Jim Vazquez, Administrator, 901-222-7602, jim.vazquez@shelbycountytn.gov.

The State of Tennessee Department of Environmental & Conservation was awarded $2,300,000 in Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant program funding and an additional $200,000 in Healthy Homes Initiative funding. The State of Tennessee Department of Environmental & Conservation will address lead hazards in 162 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The State will also perform healthy homes assessments in 132 units. The State of Tennessee Department of Environmental & Conservation will collaborate with the Tennessee Department of Public Health, Rebuilding Together - Nashville and Nashville Metropolitan Development Agency. Contact Person: Ms. Adrianne White, Environmental Program Manager, 615-532-0885, Adrianne.white@tn.gov.

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 ap-proximately 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 Demon-stration 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 ad-dress multiple housing-related hazards.

The following is a breakdown of Tennessee funding announced today:

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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 and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.