RISMEDIA, May 7, 2011—The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced that it is offering $2.5 million in grants to improve and develop methods and knowledge for detecting and controlling lead-based paint and other housing-related health and safety hazards. This funding will help protect young children as well as other vulnerable populations.
“The grants awarded under these two programs will allow States, counties and cities who are on the front lines to further protect families from the hazards of lead-based paint and other housing related hazards,” says Jon Gant, Director of the Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control. “We have made significant progress in eliminating lead-based paint but haven’t reached that finish line yet. We must ensure that communities are given the tools necessary to producing safe and healthy older housing for children and vulnerable populations.”
HUD is making grants available through the following programs:
1. Lead Technical Studies Grant Program – $500,000: These grants will further previous research grants that have provided health and housing professionals with knowledge on how to reduce the number of lead poisoned children. They are critical for achieving the goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning as a major public health problem. Applications due date is June 30, 2011.
2. Healthy Homes Technical Studies Grant Program – $2 million: These grants will help develop and improve low-cost methods for identifying and reducing housing-related hazards. They may also improve our understanding of the relationship between residential exposures experienced by children or other vulnerable populations and illness or injury. Application due date is June 30, 2011.
Two awards will be made for the Lead Technical Studies program ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 each. Three to five awards will also be made for the Healthy Homes Technical Studies program ranging from $300,000 to $650,000 each.
For more information visit www.Grants.gov.