Reposted from Vermontbiz.com, May 23, 2013 The US Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $2.3 million in grants to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board in Vermont to protect children and families from the hazards of lead-based paint and from other home health and safety hazards. The awards are a part of $98.3 million in funds awarded to 38 projects across the country to clean up lead paint hazards and other health hazards in 6,373 high-risk homes, train workers in lead-safe work practices, and increase public awareness about childhood lead poisoning. Lead is a known toxin that can impair children’s development and have effects lasting into adulthood. The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board will be awarded $2.3 million Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant program. The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board will address lead hazards in 150 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board will collaborate with the Vermont Department of Health, Vermont Lead Safety Project, the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, Lead Safe Homes in Bellows Falls, homeownership centers and nonprofit housing developers throughout the State. Contact Person: Ron Rupp, 802-828-2912, ron@vhcb.org. “Childhood lead poisoning is completely preventable and that’s exactly what these funds are designed to do,” said HUD Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones. “The communities receiving these grants are helping their children grow up brighter, safer and healthier.” “Providing healthy and safe homes for families and children is a top priority for HUD,” said Barbara Fields HUD New England Regional Administrator. “HUD is committed to protecting Vermont children from the hazards that can be caused by deteriorated lead paint, and mold that follows moisture intruding into the home.” These grant programs of HUD’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control promote local efforts to eliminate dangerous lead hazards from lower income homes; stimulate private sector investment in lead hazard control; and educate the public about the dangers of lead-based paint. Lead Hazard Control Grant Programs Even though lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, HUD estimates that approximately 24 million homes still have significant lead-based paint hazards today. Lead-contaminated dust is the primary cause of lead exposure and can lead to a variety of health problems in young children, including reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, reduced height, and impaired hearing. At higher levels, lead can damage a child’s kidneys and central nervous system and cause anemia, coma, convulsions and even death. The funding announced today directs critical funds to cities, counties and states to eliminate dangerous lead paint hazards in thousands of privately-owned, low-income housing units. These funds are provided through HUD’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control and Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant programs. To expand the reach of HUD’s Lead Hazard Control Program. HUD is also providing over $4.4 million to help communities transform their lead hazard control programs to address multiple housing-related hazards.
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