last week that they have awarded the City of Charlotte an additional
$2.4M Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant funding. These funds will
be used for the testing, risk evaluation, control and reduction of
lead-based paint hazards in 185 low-income housing units in Charlotte.
The funds will also be used to provide community awareness and
education, contractor training, continuation of the LeadSafe Charlotte
HOTLINE in English and Spanish, and to screen children under the age
of six for the presence of elevated blood levels.
HUD has recognized the City for their continued success in planning
and implementing the use of the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant
funds. The City has operated this HUD funded grant program since 1998
and has since inspected over 2,744 units and completed lead hazard
reduction in nearly 2,000 units. The City also provided lead hazard
training and information at 200 community events and estimates that
they have reached over 20,000 people, with the goal of educating the
community about the dangers of lead- based paint. In total, the City
has received seven rounds of Lead Hazard Control grant funding for a
total of $19,400,000.
Even though lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978,
HUD estimates that approximately 24 million homes in the county still
have significant lead-based paint hazards which can cause a variety of
serious health problems in young children.
"This investment in the state and the City of Charlotte's children,
families and elderly is so important because it vividly and personally
reminds us that "home" isn't just about bricks, glass and mortar."
said HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. "Home is a
sanctuary where our children and elderly should feel safe and secure
-- where they can play, learn, and grow, develop under the loving
support of their parents and caregivers."
HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control (OHHLHC) is
unique among federal agencies. The OHHLHC was established to eliminate
lead-based paint hazards in America's privately-owned and low-income
housing and to lead the nation in addressing other housing-related
health hazards that threaten vulnerable residents.
As one means of addressing substandard housing, the OHHLHC provides
funds to state and local governments to develop cost-effective ways to
reduce lead-based paint hazards. In addition, the office enforces
HUD's lead-based paint regulations, provides public outreach and
technical assistance, and conducts technical studies to help protect
children and their families from health and safety hazards in the home.
