The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on Tuesday that it will send $2 million to the Plant City Housing Authority to help clean up lead-based paint hazards.
The funds are part of $51.4 million going to 25 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in 19 states. The funds will come from HUD’s Public Housing Capital Fund.
“In order to be healthy, it’s important to have a healthy home,” said HUD Sec. Marcia Fudge on Tuesday. “Protecting families with young children from lead and other health hazards is an important part of HUD’s mission, and we don’t take it lightly. It is also a matter of environmental justice, and HUD is committed to President Biden’s directive to prioritize environmental justice and equity for disadvantaged communities.”
“Although lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, HUD estimates that about 24 million older homes still have significant lead-based paint hazards today. While most public housing has already undergone abatement, there are still some properties where lead-based paint remains, and where hazards have redeveloped. Lead-contaminated dust is the primary cause of lead exposure and can lead to a variety of health problems in young children, including reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, reduced height, and impaired hearing. At higher levels, lead can damage a child’s kidneys and central nervous system and can even be deadly,” HUD noted. “On January 27, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order that placed environmental justice at the forefront of efforts to tackle the climate crisis. HUD’s awarding of this $51 million in funding is in line with the president’s order, as lead poisoning disproportionately affects people of color.”
This is the third distribution of funds through the program. Previously, HUD sent out $46.1 million to 51 PHAs and other organizations.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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