The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gave the Peoria county $5.6 million to remove hazardous lead paint from homes. Lead has a harmful effect on children and families. Such as; increased blood pressure, muscle and joint pain, nerve disorders and many other things. Younger children are more likely to suffer from lead, but it has an impact on everyone. The reason why children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning is because they can swallow lead paint chips, as well as dust, that has lead in it.
“The Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction and Healthy Homes grant by HUD will be the largest our agency has received… To date, we have received $12 million thru federal and state and local funds, that have helped us with 889 properties, with more than 800 children benefiting from our work. The new $5.6 million will allow us in the next few years to work on another 380 homes impacting hundreds of children here in our community.” Said Monica Hendrickson, administrator of Peoria City/County Health department.
Families can apply for HUD funding to cover the cost for lead removal in their home.
Lead was commonly used in American homes in the 1920s. It was on everything from dolls, baseball bats and painted toys to vacuums and irons. It was also commonly used in paint. It was found to be poisonous in the late 1900s, but the lead industry wanted to keep it a secret so they could make more money. The actions of the lead industry are effecting people today, as homes in the U.S. are still poisoned by lead.
“The South Side and some of the parts of the North Valley have homes that were some of the first homes to be built in Peoria. A lot of the homes that are there with children and families growing there have issues of lead paint that need to be addressed,” First District Councilwoman Denise Moore stated.
Most homes being restored are on the Peoria’s south side, North Valley, East Bluff and West Bluff. Over 300 homes will be remediated, and about 100 are on the waiting list. The work will go on for at least the next two years.
The grant will have an impact on not only the people in the community, but people who come to visit as well. But people who are constantly breathing it in are the most likely to suffer.
“This is a win for children, it’s a win for families, and it’s a win for the community.” U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said.
“We’re looking at children that are already in disadvantaged neighborhoods and environments, and on top of that, having lead poisoning,” Hendrickson said.
And Rev. Samuel Duren, president of the Peoria County Board of Health. Said a similar thing.
“We want to make sure everybody has an opportunity to have a healthy life, regardless of where you live, your income, your status. That we want to make everything accessible.” He said.
