The Clarksville Neighborhood and Community Services (CNCS) was awarded a $2.8 million grant for the City from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Dec. 16 to protect children and families from lead-based paint and home health hazards.
The department will use the federal funds to remediate the lead hazards in homes built before 1978 and with children under the age of six using a comprehensive action plan currently being refined by Vy Cornett, the CNCCS policy researcher.
“We are ecstatic about receiving this grant, and we are even more ecstatic about being able to help our community to prevent childhood lead poisoning,” said Cornett. “Lead poisoning, as we all know, is a serious problem that can lead to critical health issues, but it’s a problem typically noticed in older homes or buildings. This grant will help us to prevent such issues by removing the danger of exposure from lead-based paints.”
The federal funds awarded to the City are from this year’s second round of grants from the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Grant Program, which is part of HUD’s continued efforts to solve the nation’s lead crisis. During this round, HUD awarded nearly $13.2 million to three state and local government agencies, one being the City of Clarksville.
“The people of our community and their health is a top priority for us,” CNCCS Director Dennis Newburn said. “And we will use any opportunity available to improve or sustain their wellbeing, especially for those who don’t have the resources or the financial means to remove themselves from lead exposures.”
The City’s department will provide more information on eligibility requirements in the coming months. For more details on the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Grant Program, visit www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/lbp/lhc.