Title
Federal Fiscal Year 2019 Lead Hazard Control Grant
Action
Action:
A. Authorize the City Manager to accept a Lead Hazard Control grant in the amount of $3,635,222 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, and
B. Adopt a budget ordinance appropriating $3,635,222 in grant funds for program activities
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Pamela Wideman, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Warren Wooten, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Explanation
§ Lead, a toxic heavy metal, was a major component in paint prior to 1978. It is still present in many older residential properties and poses a danger, especially for children age six or younger who reside in these homes. The National Center for Healthy Housing estimates 39 percent of homes built in North Carolina were built prior to 1978 and are at risk of containing lead-based paint.
§ The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides the Lead Hazard Control Grant to cities to fund the testing, risk evaluation, control, and reduction of lead paint hazards in low-income housing.
§ Housing and Neighborhood Services will use HUD’s lead hazard control grant in the amount of $3,635,222 to fund LeadSafe Charlotte, the city’s lead abatement program.
§ LeadSafe Charlotte provides grants to assist low-income homeowners with addressing unsafe lead paint conditions that pose a potential health hazard to young children. The program is designed to assist owners of single and multi-family dwellings and property investors with two or more bedrooms. To date, LeadSafe Charlotte has identified and removed lead hazards in 2,190 residential properties.
§ Since 1995, the grant has been the primary funding source for the program.
§ The city’s previous grant expired in 2019. This new funding will allow LeadSafe Charlotte to test more than 210 housing units for lead and remove lead hazards from up to 150 housing units over the next three and a half years.
Fiscal Note
Funding: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Grant
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Budget Ordinance