ECICOG Receives $3.3 Million from HUD to Address Lead Hazard Mitigation and Other Safety Concerns in Homes

In December, ECICOG received notice from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development that a Lead Hazard Reduction Grant in the amount of $2,964,980 was awarded to ECICOG address lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 housing throughout our region. A grant contract was executed in February. ECICOG is grateful to its partners, including the Housing Fund for Linn County, Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County, East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund, the City of Cedar Rapids, and the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation for providing matching funds for the grant.

To be eligible for the program, homeowners must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for their household size and have children under the age of 6 residing in or frequently visiting the home. It is expected that the grant will assist 90 homes across the region over 4 years. In addition to the $2.9 million for Lead Hazard Reduction, HUD awarded $400,000 in supplemental Heathy Homes funding that will be used to address health and safety items in the homes such as radon, carbon monoxide, ground fault outlets, and handrails. Applications and program guidelines are under development in anticipation of launching the program to eligible participants later this spring. For questions or more information contact ECICOG Housing Director Paula Mitchell.