More than $6.5 million awarded to expand residential lead hazard services

More than $6.5 million awarded to expand residential lead hazard services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 23, 2019

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services awarded more than $6.5 million in grants to expand residential lead hazard control services to eligible households with a Medicaid-enrolled resident.

“We must be proactive in making sure lead hazards are removed from homes,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health. “These funds allow communities to prevent further lead exposure for our children who are at highest risk.”

Funding is provided through Michigan’s Children’s Health Insurance Program. Grants of up to $1.5 million were available for qualifying cities, counties or consortiums to provide lead hazard control services. Awarded grantees include:

Grantee Name                            Target Area                      Amount Awarded

City of Battle Creek                     Calhoun County                $ 1,300,000

City of Grand Rapids                   Kent County                      $ 1,300,000

Human Development                  Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac     $    962,807
Commission                                Lapeer and Bay counties

City of Detroit                              Detroit                                 $ 1,274,300

City of Muskegon                        Muskegon County               $    880,005

Community Action Agency           Lenawee County                $    845,695

Activities must be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. Services available for funding under this initiative include, but are not limited to, the following efforts:

  • Lead inspection, risk assessment and/or elevated blood lead investigation activities to determine the presence of lead hazards.
  • Permanent removal, enclosure or encapsulation of lead-based paint and lead dust hazards for eligible residences.
  • Removal or covering of soil lead hazards up to eligible residence property lines.
  • Minimal rehabilitation to help sustain the lead abatement work.
  • Removal of pre-2014 faucets and fixtures used for human consumption, plumbing and/or service lines deemed to be a lead hazard.
  • Temporary relocation of residents during lead abatement activities.
  • Building local capacity to safely and effectively abate lead hazards.

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