City Receives $3.7 Million Grant for Lead Hazard Reduction in Austin

Austin, Texas – The City of Austin received a $3.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible low-income rental and owner-occupied housing over the next three years through the City’s Neighborhood Housing and Community Development (NHCD) department. The grant will target funding to communities with the greatest need, specifically those with a high incidence of lead poisoning, and older rental housing.

“We are thrilled to receive this news from Congressman Lloyd Doggett’s office,” said Paul Hilgers, director of the City’s Neighborhood Housing and Community Development department. “We have already proven we can effectively use these funds in the Austin area and we have a program in place which includes health screenings and home rehabilitation components.”

Lead Smart, the City’s lead education and outreach program, was initiated in 2002 and served 90 households over a 30 month period through lead identification and control of lead-based paint hazards in eligible housing units.

Austin was one of twelve projects in eight states across the country to receive HUD’s lead grant which will help cities conduct a wide range of activities including cleaning up lead-based paint hazards and improving living conditions of lower-income families.

The Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant will assist 45 qualified units annually (30 rental and 15 owner-occupied), and provide testing and screening 62 children under the age of six years old, totaling 135 housing units and 186 children over the life of the three year grant.

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Please call 974-3100 (voice) or 974-3102 (TDD) for assistance. This project is made possible by funding from HUD through the City of Austin.

CONTACT: Jackie Mayo, AHFC, 974-3121 (voice), 802-7108 (pager)