ARRA Lead Hazard Control Grant Program   Lead Hazard Control preliminary application NEW!

ARRA Washington State Lead Hazard Control Grant Program (April 15, 2009 to April 14, 2012) Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded a $3 million Lead Hazard Control Grant to the Department of Commerce. HUD received $100 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.   Commerce's grant pays for testing and remediation of 240 homes over three years and includes 33 Lead Safe Work Practices classes and educational outreach to families with children under six living with them.   BACKGROUND   About 40 percent of homes built prior to 1978 contain some lead-based paint.  In Washington, this number is about 700,000.  Because lead is a poison, if you live in older housing, your family could be at risk for lead poisoning. Young children are especially in danger.  Lead-based paint is the number one environmental hazard to children under age six.  Serious and permanent effects of lead poisoning in children are: Learning and behavior problems Poor mental development Hearing problems Organ damage or kidney failure Brain damage High levels can even cause death   WHAT WE DO   The Department of Commerce's (Commerce) Lead Hazard Control Grant Program (LHCGP) provides funding for the control of lead-based paint hazards in low-income families' homes and for training in lead-safe work practices, lead awareness, and for outreach educational materials.  The LHCGP makes housing for low-income people safer by testing for and mitigating lead-based paint hazards.   Commerce’s LEAD STAFF   Please email Cynthia Sanderson or call (360) 725-2941.     SOME USEFUL LINKS   US Department of Housing and Urban Development   US Environmental Protection Agency   Washington State Department of Health   Lead Hazard Control preliminary application