CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Hundreds of Illinois families will benefit from a generous grant the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding local and state government agencies in its effort to combat lead-based paint and other home health hazards.
The Cook County Department of Public Health will receive $4 million in Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction (LBPHR) grant program and Healthy Homes Supplemental funding to address lead hazards in 185 housing units. The city of Springfield will receive $3.4 million from the same funding sources to address lead hazards in 169 housing units.
“This funding will help protect 354 families in Illinois, providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children,” said James A. Cunningham, HUD Midwest Deputy Regional Administrator.
The city of South Bend will be awarded $3.35 million from the grants.
In total, HUD will award nearly $95 million to 28 state and local government agencies in 19 states to protect children and families from lead-based paint and other home health hazards.
The LBPHR identifies and cleans up dangerous lead in low-income families’ older homes. More than $12 million will come from the Healthy Homes Supplemental funding, which helps communities with housing-related health and safety hazards in addition to lead-based paint hazards.
“With these grants, HUD makes it clear that ensuring healthy and safe homes for families is a top priority,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “A healthy home provides a foundation for a healthy life, and that is why HUD is committed to protecting families from lead and other home health hazards, and providing healthy and sustainable housing.”
These investments will protect families and children by targeting significant lead and health hazards in over 3,700 homes of low-income families for which other resources are not available.
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