A big HUD safety investment will bolster residential safety and health. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced $90 million in funding. This funding aims to reduce health hazards such as lead paint, carbon monoxide, mold, radon, fire safety, and asbestos in the homes of low-income families.

What This Means for Public and Indian Housing Authorities

The newly announced Housing-related Hazards Capital Fund (HRHCF) & Lead-based Paint Capital Fund Program (LBPCF) NOFO offers grants specifically to Public Housing Authorities and Indian Housing Authorities. HUD has designed these grants to evaluate and mitigate residential health risks in public housing. This effort is crucial, considering many of these homes were built prior to the 1978 ban on lead-based paint.

HUD Safety Investment Impact

The estimated $15,000 per unit grants will address these hazards. That amount is much more than the average $3,500 per unit previously available through Capital Fund Formula grants. The increase in funding is vital as it addresses critical health and safety concerns that could otherwise go unmanaged due to financial constraints.

Broadening the Horizon

The HUD safety investment aligns with the Justice40 Initiative. That initiative aims to make 40% of the benefits from federal investments in climate, energy, and housing more available to disadvantaged communities. This is particularly significant for communities that have historically been underinvested and overburdened by pollution.

How to Apply

Public Housing Authorities and Indian Housing Authorities must apply via grants.gov by July 1, 2024. This is a wonderful opportunity to safeguard the health of your residents, particularly children under six, who are most vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning.