HUD AWARDS $8.5 MILLION TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN TEXAS FROM LEAD AND OTHER HOME HAZARDS
Funding to make low-income housing safer and healthier in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio

FORT WORTH - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $8.5 Million in grants to 3 local projects in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio to protect children and families from the hazards of lead-based paint and from other home health and safety hazards. The funding is expected to help mitigate health hazards in over 500 units of affordable housing in the three communities. See end of release for specific program descriptions.

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 Acting Regional Administrator Mark Brezina. "HUD is committed to protecting Texas children from the hazards that can be caused by deteriorated lead paint, and mold that follows moisture intruding into the home."

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.

Breakdown of the Texas Funding Announced Today

The City of Austin 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 Austin will address lead hazards in 138 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The City of Austin will also perform healthy homes assessments in 138 units. The City of Austin will collaborate with the Austin Housing Finance Corporation. Contact Person: Kimberly Freeman, (512) 974-3162, Kimberly.Freeman@austintexas.gov.

The City of San Antonio will be awarded $3,000,000 in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration The City of San Antonio will address lead hazards in 197 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The City of San Antonio will collaborate with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD), Family Service Association (faith-based, 501 (c) (3)), Bexar County, the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA), San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD), the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCA), San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), City Public Services' CasaVerde (weatherization) and various community faith-based and non-profit organizations. Contact Person: John M. Dugan, Director, (210) 207-7833, john.dugan@sanantonio.gov.

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services will be awarded $3,000,000 in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant program funding. The Houston Department of Health and Human Services will address lead hazards in 190 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The Houston Department of Health and Human Services will collaborate with the Youth Build of Houston, Baylor Hospital and College of Medicine, University of Texas School of Public Health Training Center, De Madres a Madres, Mothers for Clean Air, Nutritional Services (WIC), Harris County Department of Education, and Immunization Bureau. Contact Person: Ms. Brenda Reyes, Bureau Chief, (832) 393-5155, brenda.reves2@houstontx.gov.

The following is a state-by-state breakdown of the 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.