HUD AWARDS $3 MILLION GRANT TO CITY OF FORT WORTH TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM LEAD

FORT WORTH - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded a $3 million grant to the City of Fort Worth to conduct activities intended to protect children and families from potentially dangerous lead-based paint. Fort Worth was the only grantee in Texas.

Nationally, the $110 million in grants announced today for 43 projects will clean up lead and other health hazards in nearly 6,000 high-risk homes, train workers in lead safety methods, 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.

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.

"Protecting the health and well-being of children is a top priority for HUD. We know that housing conditions directly affect the health of its residents," said HUD Regional Administrator Don Babers. "Today's grants will help communities protect families from lead exposure and other significant health and safety hazards."

The City of Fort Worth will use its $3,000,000 Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant funding to address lead hazards in 200 low income units, providing lead-safe homes for families and children. The City will partner with Tarrant County Housing Partnership, United Community Centers, Northside InterChurch Agency, and Cultural Center/Centro Cultural de Las Americas. Contact Person: Mr. Jesus Chapa, Director, (817) 392-5804.

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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.