Kaptur Applauds HUD Award of $1.65 Million to Erie County to Protect Children and Families from Dangerous Lead in Homes

WASHINGTON, DC– Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) applauded the announcement by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of $1,500,000 in Lead Based Paint Hazard Control awards and $150,000 in Healthy Homes Supplemental awards to Erie County. Erie County, through its Health Department, will address lead hazards in 80 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The health department will collaborate with the Lorain County General Health District to facilitate the program. Erie County is one of 23 local and state government agencies which have been awarded more than $52.6 million through HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes.

“The HUD award for Erie County to help combat lead hazards for our families and children who should not have their health threatened because of where they live is welcome news,” said Rep. Kaptur, who, as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, has continually supported an increase in funding for the HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes program. “According to the CDC, at least four million households have children who are exposed to high levels of lead. This includes 535,000 children younger than the age of five.”

“Lead hazards are particularly prevalent in low-income communities,” continued Rep. Kaptur. “Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. The impact of lead poisoning ranges from reductions in cognitive function, developmental delays, behavior modification, learning disabilities, seizures, comas, and even death. The effects of lead poisoning on children are especially harmful, and the CDC has determined that there is no “safe” level of lead for a child. The annual costs of lead poisoning to society are over $50 billion, and these costs are especially regrettable since lead poisoning is 100 percent preventable.”

HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes addresses lead hazards and multiple housing-related hazards affecting the health of residents, particularly children. The office develops lead-based paint regulations, guidelines, and policies applicable to HUD programs, and enforces the Lead Disclosure Rule issued under Title X.

Additional information on the HUD Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Award can be found here.