JACKSON ANNOUNCES $31 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM DANGEROUS LEAD PAINT HAZARDS - Lead hazard will be eliminated from thousands of low-income homes

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today awarded more than $31 million in grants to twelve state and local communities to protect children and families from dangerous lead-based paint hazards in homes. The awards, under the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant program, will target funding to communities with the greatest need, specifically those with a high incidence of lead poisoning, and older rental housing.

"Today's announcement illustrates how HUD is continuing its work with communities that have special health concerns," said Jackson. "The communities receiving grants today have demonstrated that they are fully committed to making their older housing safer and healthier places for children."

HUD's lead grants will help twelve local projects in California, Illinois, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Texas and Wisconsin to conduct a wide range of activities including cleaning up lead-based paint hazards and improving living conditions of lower income families. Eligible jurisdictions for the grant program include those with at least 3,500 occupied rental-housing units built before 1940. This funding will allow communities to eliminate dangerous lead paint hazards in thousands of privately owned, low-income housing units.

Through its seven grant programs, HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control promotes local efforts to eliminate dangerous lead and other hazards from lower income homes; stimulates private sector investment in lead hazard control; educates the public about the dangers of lead-based paint; and supports scientific research into innovative methods to identify and eliminate health hazards in housing.

On March 8, 2006, HUD published its FY 2006 SuperNOFA (Notice of Funds Availability) for HUD's Discretionary Grant Programs, which included a Program Section addressing three Lead Hazard Control grant programs. Awards under that NOFA were announced on September 15, 2006. At that time, HUD re-opened the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration NOFA to make additional awards utilizing uncommitted funding. This NOFA closed on October 31, 2006.

INDIVIDUAL PROJECT SUMMARIES

CALIFORNIA

The City and County of San Francisco will be awarded up to $3,350,000 to produce approximately 150 lead-safe homes. The program is a collaboration among the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, the Department of Building Inspection and the Mayor's Office of Housing. The program has partnered with local community based organizations and government agencies to assist with providing support services to the lead hazard reduction demonstration grant program. Contact: Myrna Melgar, Lead Program Manager (415) 701-5531.

ILLINOIS:

Winnebago County will be awarded $1,237,911 in federal funds to produce 100 lead-safe homes. The Winnebago County Health Department will serve as the primary agency for the “Creating Lead Safe Rockford” project. Contact: Larry Swacina, Director, Environmental Health (815) 720-4100.

MICHIGAN:

The City of Lansing will be awarded $1,384,886 to create 120 lead-safe homes in Lansing. The City will partner with neighborhood organizations, private businesses, the Michigan State Housing Authority, and local government agencies to educate and reduce lead hazards in the Lansing Lead Safe target area. The City's Development Office will manage the project. Contact: Dorothy Boone (517) 483-4050.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The City of Manchester will be awarded $1,800,000 to produce 240 lead-safe homes in at-risk areas in Manchester. The program will focus on low-income families with young children, especially minority and refugee families. The City will partner with the New Hampshire State Health Department, Dartmouth College, several non-profit organizations, and financial institutions. The project will be managed by the City's Planning Department. Contact: Todd Fleming (603) 624-6450.

NEW YORK:

The City of Albany will be awarded up to $3,000,000 to create approximately 195 lead-safe homes. This program will include the Albany Community Development Agency Environmental Services and incorporate funds from City Rehabilitation Programs. Contact: Joseph Montana, Director, (518) 434-5265.

The City of Buffalo will be awarded $1,112,880 to produce 90 lead-safe homes. Buffalo will conduct 125 lead inspections and risk assessments and other eligible activities to support the lead program. The Office of Strategic Planning will manage the project. Contact: Carla A. Kosmerl (716) 851-5654.

The City of Schenectady will be awarded $1,036,249 to produce 200 lead-safe homes, increase blood level testing, and perform onsite lead hazard inspections. The City is partnering with the local health department, community based organizations, private investors, and a home improvement organization. The Department of Planning and Community Development will manage the project. Contact: Susan Marie Lombardi (518) 399-8654.

RHODE ISLAND

The City of Woonsocket will be awarded $2,816,074 to create 225 lead-safe homes. Woonsocket will integrate resources through agreements with community and faith-based organizations to increase head hazard awareness and blood-lead testing for children. Contact: Joel Matthews (401) 767-9237.

TEXAS:

The City of Austin will be awarded up to $3,761,662 for the production of approximately 132 lead-safe housing units over the next 3 years. The City of Austin will continue the program successfully initiated with a 2002 HUD Lead Hazard Control grant to its Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department. Contact: Kelly Weiss, Assistant Community Development Officer (512) 974-3182.

WISCONSIN:

Kenosha County will be awarded $3,996,928 to produce 400 lead-safe homes. The Kenosha County Human Services Department – Division of Health will serve as the primary agency for the “Kenosha/Racine Lead-Free Communities Partnership” project. Kenosha County will provide administrative and program oversight for the program. Contact: Frank Matteo, Director, Division of Health (262) 605-6730.

The City of Milwaukee will be awarded $3,900,000 to produce 1,775 lead-safe homes. The City's Health Department will manage the program and partner with several community-based organizations to maximize the number of children protected from lead poisoning and reduce the number of housing units at risk for lead hazards. Contact: Sara Mishefske (414) 286-5537.

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