CHRISTINE O. GREGOIRE Governor

STATE OF WASHINGTON

 

P.O. Box 40002 • Olympia, Washington 98504-0002 • (360) 902-4111

 

 

 

Funding will help 162 low-income households by May 2012

 

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering up to $3 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants to help control lead-based paint in low-income households. These grants are administered through community based organizations. Individuals and families do not receive the funding directly but in some cases property owners of multifamily eligible units could qualify and may become a direct beneficiary.

 

About 40 percent of homes built prior to 1978 contain some lead-based paint, including an estimated 700,000 in Washington State. Lead-based paint is the number one environmental hazard to children under age six and lead- poisoning can cause poor mental development, organ and brain damage and even death.

 

“The health and safety of our children is one of my top priorities,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “This funding will lead to safer communities, and ensure our children are protected from lead toxins in their homes.”

 

“We are participating in the Lead Hazard Control Grant in which up to 162 homes will be made safe from lead hazards state wide,” said Rogers Weed, Director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. “These new funds allow us to continue and build on this important work.”

 

Residents who believe they might be exposed to lead in their home can fill out a preliminary online application and see if they qualify for a risk assessment at

 

Eligibility requirements for enrolling in the program include:

·         Owners must be low income if they occupy the unit or they must be able to verify they rent to low income tenants.

·         Children ages six and under now live in the units, are eligible to live in units, or visit for more than six hours per week, In-home daycares would be eligible.

·         Units must be older than 1978

·         Units must have lead—a free risk assessment will be conducted prior to enrolling a unit in the program.

·         Units that are undergoing renovation activities such as weatherization, or repair are preferred.

   

Most of the lead abatement work is done along with other improvement projects such as weatherization. A unit could potentially receive up to $13,100 for remediating lead hazards.  Some of the activities included in the remediation are a lead-based paint risk assessment, blood testing, lead hazard control work like paint stabilization, replacing windows, doors and re-siding. 

 

The Department of Commerce's Lead Hazard Control Grant Program (LHCGP) provides funding for the control of lead-based paint hazards in low-income families' homes, training for lead-safe work practices and lead awareness materials.

 

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Washington State is administering the federal Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a new Web site (www.recovery.wa.gov) enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Barack Obama has appointed Vice President Joe Biden to oversee all states' recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.