The City of Lancaster has been awarded a $9.1 million Lead Hazard Reduction Grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, plus an additional $600,000 of Healthy Homes supplemental funding. The Lead Hazard Reduction Grant will systematically make 710 housing units in Lancaster city lead-safe. The Healthy Homes supplemental funding will enable the city to address other health hazards such as radon, mold and tripping hazards in 120 homes.
The funding will enable the city to scale up its existing Lead Hazard Control Program by hiring additional staff, including outreach workers. Much of the funding will go directly to construction costs to mitigate lead. The city has active partnerships with contractors and construction firms certified to do this work. The city is seeking additional contractors to complete the work and will be partnering with local job training programs to increase the pool of lead-certified contractors who are eligible to bid on the jobs.
The focus area for the grant is four census tracts (9, 10, 14, and 147) south of King Street where 16,000 residents live. The majority of houses in the area were built prior to 1940, and many have lead-based paint present.
Lead poisoning affects the central nervous system and brain, especially in fetuses and young children. Lead poisoning hinders development and the ability to learn and regulate behavior.
The city will work closely with community partners to promote the program, including Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Lancaster Health Center, Partnership for Public Health, the Public Health program at Franklin & Marshall College, School District of Lancaster, and active neighborhood organizations within the target area.
To learn more, readers may call 717-517-5736.
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