General News: Lead Hazard Reduction Program
October 31, 2016
Neuhaus urges residents to apply for lead hazard reduction funds
Grant program is expiring, but funding still available
Goshen, N.Y. – County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and Community Development Director Richard Mayfield are reminding residents that applications are still being accepted for the federally-funded Lead Hazard Reduction Program, and that this initiative will end soon.
The free program, which may provide up to $10,000 per unit, addresses a serious public health hazard and may help to add value to the property in question.
“This program is a great way to remove any hazardous and/or poisonous lead from your home,” Neuhaus said. “I can’t imagine a parent, homeowner or landlord who would not want to take advantage of this grant program.”
Added Mayfield: “Lead is a known toxin that can impair a child’s development and if not addressed can have serious health consequences. There is no known safe level of exposure in children. Fortunately, childhood lead poisoning is preventable if parents are informed and the proper precautionary abatement measures are followed. Our program is designed to assist homeowners, landlords and their tenants to remediate lead hazards.”
Even though lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that approximately 24 million homes still have significant lead-based paint hazards today. 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 cause anemia, coma, convulsions and even death.
For more information about this and other Orange County Office of Community Development programs, contact the Office at 615-3820 or [email protected].
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