Lead Hazard Reduction GrantMEMORANDUM
May 28, 2003
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:Application for Round 11 Lead Hazard Reduction Grant
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris recommends
City Council approval of an application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) for $2,000,000 for the continuation of the Lead-Based Paint
Hazard Prevention Program.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department
MEMORANDUM
To: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
From: David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department
Re: Application for Round 11 Lead Hazard Reduction Grant
Introduction:
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council to authorize an
application to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for
$2,000,000, for the continuation of the Lead-based Paint Hazard Prevention
Program in the Iow-moderate portions of Census Tracts 1, 5, 6, 7.01, 7.02,
10t.01 and 101.03.
BACKGROUND:
Since January 1992, the City of Dubuque has addressed childhood lead
poisoning, first in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH),
and then by conducting its own Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
(CLPPP). In 1997, Dubuque was awarded a Round 4 HUD lead-based paint
hazard control grant to make 470 properties located in the downtown area that
was occupied by very Iow to moderate-income families lead-safe. This program
initiated many cost-effective measures to prevent and eliminate childhood lead
poisoning in the City of Dubuque and built local capacity through informed
citizens, trained contractors, workers, educated landlords and property owners.
This grant application is for the continuation of this pdmary lead-based paint
poisoning prevention program for an additional 42 months.
Grant Accomplishments:
Health - Housing Partnership Dubuque has approached the problem
of childhood lead poisoning as a joint endeavor between the Health
and Housing and Community Development Departments. Both
Departments bring significant and vital expertise to this complex
problem of improving childhood health and establishing healthy homes
and neighborhoods. The inclusion of lead hazard reduction activities in
the Consolidated Plan requires lead-safe renovations and
rehabilitations through the Housing and Community Development
Department's Rehabilitation program, increasing the funding allocated
to the development of lead-safe housing.
· Development of community partners - The additional development of
community partnerships in the elimination and control of childhood lead
poisoning is vital to the success of this preventable health problem.
The Dubuque Visiting Nurse Association, the Economic Development
Department, the Dubuque Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Coalition, the Iowa Workforce Development Program, the various
neighborhood associations and civic groups all are involved in the
process of building an established infrastructure and capacity for lead
hazard reduction activities long after our HUD grant funding is
expended.
· Dubuque's financial commitment - The City of Dubuque has
committed $318,032 in CDBG funding since the beginning of the Lead
Hazard Reduction Program, representative of the City's commitment to
the ongoing success of the program. $131,330 in owner match was
contributed and $416,120 in other City match - committed in
employees' salaries, office space, equipment, contracted nursing
services and training. This is a commitment of $865,482 - $496,421
over the initial matching fund contributions to the program.
· Financial commitment in the form of ,qrants to create lead-safe housing
- Grants of $5,000 per unit (on average) are offered to owner-
occupants and rental unit owners to make properties lead safe. Units
are made lead-safe using certified lead contractors and workers.
Tenants are relocated to lead-safe housing while the work is being
done and pre- and post- dust sampling is conducted to assure that the
unit is lead-safe before the tenants are moved back to their unit.
· Public education and awareness - Increased education and
awareness has occurred through billboards, busboards, newspaper
articles and ads, presentations and community fairs.
· Specialized training and education - Contractor, worker, visual risk
assessor and inspector/risk assessor and safe work practice courses
are offered within the community by the Lead Hazard Reduction staff.
The City of Dubuque is the only certified training provider in the State
of Iowa for these categories of training.
· Easy access to specialized tools - Specialized lending programs have
been developed put the proper tools and HEPA vacuums in the
hands of those who need them.
· Blood screening - Initiatives have been developed to increase blood
lead screening of area children.
· Tenant education and empowerment - A Healthy Homes intervention
program has also been piloted to provide interim cleaning methods and
education to tenants.
· Lead-safe unit listing - A lead-safe unit listing has been developed and
circulated throughout the community to various community-based
agencies to address an increasing need for lead-safe housing. The
lead safe unit listing is also listed on the City's website.
· Quick response to hi,qh blood lead levels - A comprehensive system of
medical and environmental case management for children with
elevated blood lead levels has been developed.
· Dubuque's Lead-based Paint Hazard Reduction program, a
component of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
(CLPPP), is administered through a partnership of the Health and
Housing Services Departments. The program has initiated many cost-
effective measures to prevent and eliminate childhood lead poisoning
in the City of Dubuque and has built local capacity through informed
citizens, trained contractors, workers, educated landlords and property
owners.
Since 1997, Lead Hazard Reduction Program staff has inspected over
685 units, identifying lead hazards for renovation and have made
grants to property owners to make 464 units lead-safe. An additional
51 units were made lead-safe using an interim controls method of
hazard reduction techniques (these units were not included in our grant
unit total of 470 units.) 81 of these units were made lead safe in
owners.
· Since 1997, Lead Hazard Reduction Program staff has inspected over
685 units, identifying lead hazards for renovation and have made
grants to property owners to make 464 units lead-safe. An additional
51 units were made lead-safe using an interim controls method of
hazard reduction techniques (these units were not included in our grant
unit total of 470 units.) 81 of these units were made lead safe in
partnership with the Housing Rehabilitation program, during the course
of major rehabilitation work.
· Trained and certified contractors and workers have added to the local
capacity. Of the original 172 certified contractors, 83 have retained
their lead contractor certification. 173 workers have been certified
through a 24-hour worker certification process. Further, 108 people
have been trained in an eight-hour safe work practice course.
Additionally, 51 sampling technicians/visual risk assessors and 35
Inspector/Risk Assessors have been trained. 78 Sampling
Technicians, 46 Inspector/Risk Assessors, 51 Contractors and 8
workers have been given refresher training.
· Lead screening rates among area pediatricians are among the best in
the State of Iowa. Lead levels among children from birth to 6 years of
age with blood lead levels greater than 10 mg/dL have decreased from
13.98 to 11.9% in the four years that the lead hazard reduction
program has been operating. This rate is still twice the national
average of 5.9% but lower than the State average of 14.8% for the
percentage of children under the age of six who are lead poisoned.
56% of children with blood lead levels greater than or equal to 20
ug/dL drop below that level in six months. The percentage increases
to 77% in twelve months.
All these statistical accomplishments provide some tangible measure of the
outcome of the Lead Hazard Reduction Program. However they by no means
express the countless other accomplishments that have occurred in the building
of local capacity to respond to childhood lead poisoning.
In the area of public education and awareness, the community has been exposed
to pdnt media, billboards and bus signs, community conferences, demonstration
projects, and how-to information. Lead poisoning and problems that the City
faces have been kept at the forefront of community consciousness and the public
has changed in the way residents look at the dwelling in which they live and the
way they do home repairs. The results have been an informed public, an
informed medical community and informed families about how to prevent lead
poisoning and how to treat children who have been exposed to dangerous levels
of lead in their environment.
· Additional community partnering in the process of elimination and control
of childhood lead poisoning has been necessary to the success of this
preventable health problem. The Dubuque Visiting Nurse Association, the
CD Commission, the Dubuque Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Coalition, the Iowa Workforce Development Program, the various
neighborhood associations and civic groups all have been involved in the
process of building an established infrastructure and capacity for lead
hazard reduction activities for the future.
· Specialized training, tools and equipment have been purchased and made
available for homeowners, tenants and landlords so that they can safely
and easily make properties ready for occupancy without having to
purchase high cost equipment to achieve lead safe housing. Free training
has also been provided for contractors, workers and property owners so
that repairs can be made knowledgeably and safely.
· The Lead Hazard Reduction Program has become a clearinghouse of
information and expertise on lead hazard reduction techniques, providing
training and how-to proficiency to area property owners about how to
safely remove, enclose or cover lead paint hazards.
· All work done under the program by the property owners, contractors and
city staff is protected under an insurance pollution liability policy, providing
protection in the event that an environmental pollution exposure occurs.
· The Lead Hazard Reduction Program also provides inspection and dust
sampling services to the Section 8 Assisted Housing program, to comply
with the new HUD lead paint regulations. HEPA vacuums and expertise
are offered to participating landlords to assist them in meeting the new
clearance requirements.
In addition to preventing childhood lead poisoning, the Lead Hazard
Reduction Program staff has responded to cases of childhood poisoning,
completing environmental investigations and offering financial incentives
for repairing units in a lead-safe manner.
Units Completed:
464 units were made lead-safe using a lead hazard reduction strategy of abating
friction, impact and chewable surfaces that tested positive for lead and any other
deteriorated lead containing painted surface that was deteriorated. Additionally,
658 units were inspected, with 657 units found to contain lead hazards. An
additional 51 units were made lead-safe using an interim control method of
control. (These 51 units were in addition to the 464 units.)
DISCUSSION
This application is for a lead hazard reduction grant totaling $2,000,000 to be
jointly administered by the Health Services and Housing and Community
Development Departments. Proposed is the continuation of our pdmary lead-
based paint poisoning prevention program, for inspection and lead-based paint
hazard reduction in an additional 255 units in the target area of the grant.
BUDGET IMPACT
If funded, this grant would be awarded in April 2004, with work commencing
immediately. This grant application would require a 12.5% time commitment
from both the Public Health Specialist and the Senior Housing Inspector, for
program management.
As well, $180,000 in CDBG funds will be required to meet the 10% match of
$60,000 per fiscal year for FY2005, FY2006 and FY2007. The Community
Development Commission will act on this request at its meeting on May 28,
2003.
RECOMMENDATION
The comprehensive lead paint hazard reduction program described in this grant
application provides a significant benefit to the City of Dubuque. In addition to
directly assisting owners and tenants of dwellings containing lead hazards, it will
provide employment to area contractors and related labor totaling nearly $3
million. An additional benefit of the program is to continue the training of area
landlords and qualifying trades people under state legislation to perform lead
hazard abatement. This will be achieved through the certification program
offered with grant funds.
As important is the building of local capacity, through partnership with the VNA,
and through a comprehensive advertising effort and educational programs
designed to inform area landlords, realtors, homeowners, tenants, health
professionals and others of the hazards of lead poisoning and safe methods of
hazard reduction and removal. While 255 additional lead-safe units will be
produced through this 42-month effort, thousands more will remain in need of
identification and treatment. This program is designed to further the community
foundation - through capacity enhancement, partnerships and public education -
for the continuation of those efforts for many more years.
ACTION STEP
The action requested of the City Council is to authorize the Mayor to execute a
standard application and supporting certifications to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, in response to a Notice of Funds Availability
for Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control, in the amount of $2,000,000.
Prepared by: Kathaleen Lamb, Senior Housing Inspector
CC: Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
H&CD
Housing and Community Development Department
1805 Central Avenue
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3656
(563) 5894239 office
(563) 5894244
May 28, 2003
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
RE: Round 11 Lead Hazard Reduction Grant
Honorable Mayor and City Council:
This letter reports the comments of the Community Development Advisory
Commission on the application of CDBG funds as a match for a Lead Paint
Hazard Control Grant. The Commission met on May 28, 2003 to discuss this
matter.
David Hards, Housing Department Manager, reviewed for the Commission the
proposed application for a 42-month program totaling approximately $2 million for
continuation of the primary lead-based paint poisoning prevention program which
is being offered in Census Tracts 1,5, 6, 7.01, 7.02, 101.0i and 101.03. This
grant requires a 10% matching contribution. As part of the match, $60,000 of
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds per year is being requested
for Fiscal Years '05, '06 and '07.
The Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development has identified
the need for lead paint hazard reduction as an appropriate use of CDGB funds.
$60,000 was allocated in Fiscal Years 1998, 1999 and 2000 as a match for the
$3.69 million HUD Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant awarded in 1996.
The Community Development Advisory Commission has voted to endorse the
Lead Paint Hazard Control Grant and recommends allocation of $60,000 of
CDBG funds for FY '05, '06 and '07 for this project.
Respectfully submitted,
Walt Pregler, Chairperson
Community Development Advisory Commission
cc: David Harris, Housing Department Manager
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
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