Title
Resolution Authorizing Submittal of Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program Application
Body
Department: Neighborhood Development
Council District: Any
Public Hearing: No
Advertising Date/By:
Contact 1 and Phone: Barbara Harris, 373-2509
Contact 2 and Phone: Cynthia Blue, 433-7376
PURPOSE:
City Council is requested to authorize Neighborhood Development staff to submit a grant application to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD]. The application will request $3.325 million from HUD to continue the City's Lead-Safe Housing and Healthy Homes Program through 2018 and to extend services to homes within Guilford County, excluding the City of High Point.
BACKGROUND:
In 2002, the City of Greensboro was awarded a $3 million HUD Lead Based Paint Hazard Control grant. The City was awarded an additional $3 million renewal grant in 2004, 2007 and 2010. The grant finances lead-based paint education and outreach and provides assistance for lead testing and remediation of lead-based paint hazards in low to moderate-income owner and tenant-occupied housing. Lead-based paint and other lead hazards can be found in homes built prior to 1978. Lead hazards can cause health, developmental, and learning problems for young children.
At the end of the last grant, the Lead-Safe Housing Program had cleared lead hazards in 875 housing units since July 2002. Over the last thirteen years, approximately $12 million of HUD funds have been spent in Greensboro to decrease the risk of child lead poisoning in the homes of low to moderate-income families.
The Guilford County Department of Public Health has requested that assistance be made available to homes in Guilford County, outside the City of High Point, where children have been referred by the health department for having elevated blood lead levels. The City of High Point has its own lead paint allocation for services within the City of High Point.
The current application will serve approximately 200 housing units over three years. Three million dollars is targeted to lead remediation and outreach activities and $325,000 is targeted to healthy homes repairs. HUD requires a minimum match of 10% ($300,000) on the lead portion only. The match will come from a combination of the City's annual federal Community Development Block Grant allocations, the value of owner repairs, and subgrantee matching funds. The submittal deadline is June 23, 2015 and we anticipate award notification by October 2015.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Limited budget impact. Local matching funds of $300,000 over 3 years will come from the annual Community Development Block Grant funds for housing rehabilitation activities, and owner repairs or partner agency contributions.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff requests approval to submit a $3.325 million Lead Hazard Control Grant Program application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and authorization for the City Manager to sign grant documents.