The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding grants worth more than $101 million for the removal of lead paint and other home hazards in 32 cities, counties, and state governments.
The grants target health risks posed to families in more than 6,000 low-income homes that have significant lead or other health and safety hazards, including mold, radon, pests, and other asthma triggers.
“There’s nothing more valuable than good health, and every family deserves to live in housing that offers clean air, safe drinking water, and an environment where they can thrive,” says HUD Secretary Julian Castro. “These grants will help communities achieve these goals by eliminating home-related hazards. Working with our partners, we’re ensuring that more Americans are able to secure a future that’s full of opportunities, not obstacles, for many years to come.”
The grants are being distributed through HUD’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program as well as its Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Program.
“Unsafe and unhealthy homes affect the health of millions of people of all income levels, geographic areas, and walks of life in the U.S.,” HUD says in a statement.
“These homes affect the economy directly, through increased utilization of health care services, and indirectly, through lost wages and increased school days missed. The housing improvements will help communities prevent injuries and illnesses, reduce associated health care and social services costs, reduce absentee rates for children in school and adults at work, and reduce stress — all which help to improve the quality of life.”
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