WILMINGTON — As the saying goes, hindsight is always 20/20 — that’s especially true when it comes to the materials used to build and paint homes. Health problems associated with lead-based paint have been identified for decades now and the city is hoping to receive some federal funding to help lower-income homeowners mitigate lead paint in their homes.
The City of Wilmington is looking to apply for $1.5 million in HUD funding via the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program (LHR) and Healthy Homes Supplemental program.
“If awarded this grant will allow the City to provide grants to eligible homeowners and landlords to remediate lead-based paint hazards. Funds under the LHR, including Healthy Homes Supplemental funding, must be used to provide assistance for pre-1978, privately-owned housing that is rented or owner-occupied by low income families, and are occupied by a child under the age of six years or where a child under the age of six years spends a significant amount of time visiting,” according to the resolution submitted to City Council.
The program is specifically targeted to help protect children under the age of 6 years old from lead poisoning, according to HUD.
The funds can be used by homeowners or landlords; if landlords are given money, they would be required to give priority to renters with children under six for at least three years, according to the summary.
If awarded the grant, there is a 10-percent match required and it can include other grant funding or local funds.
“The grant requires a ten percent (10%) match that may include CDBG funds or local funds. General Funds appropriated in the FY2019/20 budget will be used as the match. Furthermore, LHR funds may leverage other funds used for housing rehabilitation,” according to city documents.
According to the resolution, funds will be used as follows:
- Sixty-five percent (65%) must be used for direct lead hazard control remediation and related activities in the home
- Ten percent (10%) may be used for reasonable administrative costs related to planning and executing the project including preparing and submitting reports to HUD
- Remaining funds may be used for targeted outreach, education, and training, data collection, analysis, and evaluation of program activities.
