The Cook County Department of Public Health in Illinois has been offered a $2 million federal grant to promote a home improvement program, My Suburban Life reports. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, would fund a program that provides lead inspections and repairs to income-qualifying families.
Because lead exposure is considered a silent killer, Cook County Department of Public Health spokeswoman Deanna Durica shared that the program serves as a way to draw more awareness to a serious issue and create a safer place for Cook County families to live. And in an effort to spread the word and build a network of support, the department of health has sought to work alongside the North West Housing Partnership and Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago.
Aside from home lead inspections, the department of public health also plans to help residents fix the lead paint hazards by removing the paint, replacing windows and more.
The grant program is expected to run until the summer of 2021 or until the funding runs out, Durica said. With a sense of urgency, she encourages families to take a closer look at the program and apply as soon as possible.
“Just as an example, approximately 94% of all Berwyn, Ill., homes were built before 1978. That number goes up to 96% in Cicero,Ill.,,” Durica said of why those two Chicago suburbs were selected to be part of the lead reduction home improvement program. Blue Island, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Dolton, Maywood, Riverdale, Robbins, and Summit are the other communities included in the list for the program.
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