City of Council Bluffs issued the following announcement on Oct. 27.
The City of Council Bluffs Community Development Department received funding from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development in 2019. The $2.3 million grant provides funding to remediate lead hazards within owner-occupied or tenant-occupied homes to create a lead-safe housing stock in Council Bluffs. Lead was used in paint until 1978. Side effects from childhood lead poisoning include damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, and hearing and speech problems. Children under the age of six and pregnant women are most susceptible to lead poisoning.
“National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 25-31, and we want to draw attention to our Lead Hazard Reduction Program and showcase our first completed residence,” said Courtney Harter, Housing & Economic Development Manager for the City’s Community Development Department.
The owner-occupied residence at 2226 Avenue D is the City’s first property to receive funding from the Lead Hazard Reduction Program. Lead was found on the exterior of the home, in the basement, and in several areas on the main floor. The Lead Hazard Reduction Program funding covered the cost of painting the basement floor, stairway, and trim, removing wallpaper and painting the kitchen walls, installing new windows and vinyl siding on the house and garage, and installing a new garage door.
A child in the home had an elevated blood lead level. After remediating hazards in the house, test results indicated the child’s lead level dropped considerably.
In addition to the Lead Hazard Reduction Program, Community Development offers other housing assistance grants, including Healthy Homes grants and the Affected Properties Program. The residence at 2226 Avenue D received the following additional repairs via Healthy Homes and Affected Properties Programs: new exterior security lights, hard-wired battery back-up smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors, new ceiling lights, new storm doors, and the replacement of non-functioning outlets. In total, the residence received $53,285 in repairs; $20,000 from the Lead Hazard Reduction Program, $30,335 from Healthy Homes, and $2,950 from the Affected Properties Program.
Check out the Minute with the Mayor featuring this project.
Tyler Silverthorn with Impact7G conducted lead testing, and KR Home Improvement completed the work.
Thanks to the Lead Hazard Reduction Program, Community Development has successfully mitigated lead risks from three homes in Council Bluffs. Five additional projects are currently out to bid, and six new applications have been received. Anyone interested in applying for the program should visit https://www.councilbluffs-ia.gov/2358/Lead-Hazard-Reduction-Program or call City of Council Bluffs Community Development Department at (712) 890-5350.
Also - check out our Unleaded Coloring Contest! Three winners will receive 3-month family passes to The Hub! Make sure to turn in yours before November 6
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Council Bluffs
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