NEWS RELEASE

JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA

October 23, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JEFFERSON PARISH RECOGNIZED NATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK
Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program available to qualifying Jefferson Parish residents

JEFFERSON, LA – National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 23-29, 2022), a partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry and governments to reduce childhood exposure to lead by increasing lead poisoning prevention awareness. Established to highlight the many ways parents, caregivers and communities can reduce children’s exposure to lead and prevent its harmful health effects, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week also aims to boost awareness and understanding of what federal and local resources are available.

In Jefferson Parish, The Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program is available to homeowners and rental property owners who meet qualification criteria. Those who qualify may receive a grant for repairs designed to control lead-based paint hazards. Repairs may include replacing old wooden windows with new vinyl windows, vinyl siding and aluminum trim, covering porch floors and ceilings, and fresh paint. If a home was built prior to 1978, it could contain lead-based paint. The older the home, the greater the chances of having lead-based paint or high levels of lead dust. Lead-based paint that is in poor condition and peeling, crackled, chipping, chalking or applied to friction and impact surfaces (such as windows and doors) can create a Lead Hazard. Lead dust and lead contaminated soils are also considered Lead Hazards.

Additionally, the Healthy Homes Supplemental Grant can be used for identifying and remediating multiple other housing-related health and safety hazards such as mold, asbestos, home safety and pest control. CLICK HERE to view the 29 Supplemental Hazards Eligible for Assistance flyer; CLICK HERE to view the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program flyer; CLICK HERE to watch an informational video.

To qualify for the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant program, a homeowner or renter must meet the following criteria:

• Housing was built before 1978.
• Owner-occupied units must have one of the following: A child under the age of 6 who resides in the unit, or a child under the age of 6 who spends a “significant amount of time” in the unit, or a pregnant woman who resides in the unit.
• Rental units do not require a qualifying child occupant at the time of assistance. The landlord must agree to give priority to families with children under the age of 6 when renting for 3 years following the completion of lead abatement activities. Vacant Rental units are eligible for assistance as well.
• Total household income must be below 80% of area median income.
  

CLICK HERE to apply for assistance. All completed applications can be emailed to jonathan.whipple@jeffparish.net. For additional information about the program, call (504) 736-6262.

For more information about the Lead-Safe Housing Program, visit www.JeffParish.net/leadsafe. For more information about Jefferson Parish, visit www.JeffParish.net. Residents can also receive regular updates by following the Parish on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@JeffParishGov) or by texting JPALERT or JPNOTICIAS to 888-777.

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Jefferson Parish Public Information Office 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 1002 Jefferson, LA 70123

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Gretchen Hirt Gendron, PIO