Healthy Homes Grant Application
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MEMORANDUM
May 28, 2005
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Application of Healthy Homes Grant
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris recommends
City Council authorization of an application to the US Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) for an approximately $900,000 Healthy Homes Initiative
demonstration project grant for the Washington Neighborhood Revitalization area to
promote cost-effective measures to correct multiple safety and health hazards in home
environments.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
May 26, 2004
To: Mike ~~Milligen, City Manager
From: David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department
Re: Application for Healthy Homes 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
an approximate $900,000 Healthy Homes Initiative demonstration project grant
for the Washington Neighborhood Revitalization area, to promote cost effective
measures to correct multiple safety and health hazards in home environments.
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
occupied by very low to moderate-income families lead-safe. In 2003, the City
was awarded a Round 11 lead-based paint hazard control grant to make an
additional 255 properties lead- safe. This 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.
Highlights of our Round 4 & Round 11 HUD lead-based paint grants
accomplishments are as follows:
. Health - Housina Partnershio - Both Departments bring significant expertise to this complex
problem of improving childhood health and establishing healthy homes and neighborhoods.
The inclusion of lead hazard reduction activities in the City's HUD Consolidated Plan requires
lead-safe renovations and rehabilitations through the Housing and Community Development
Departmenfs Rehabilitation program, increasing the funding allocated to the development of
lead-safe housing. To date 600 housing units have been made lead-safe through these
efforts.
. Develooment of community oartners -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 VNA, the City's Economic Development
Department the Dubuque Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition, the Iowa Workforce
Development Program, the various neighborhood associations and community-based health,
education and social organizations all are involved in the process of building an established
infrastructure and capacity to continue lead hazard reduction activities long after our HUD
grant funding is expended.
. Financial commitment in the form of arants to create lead- safe housina - Grants of $5,000 -
$6,000 per unit are offered to owner-occupied and rental unit owners to make properties lead
safe.
. Public education and awareness - Community education and awareness has occurred through
use of billboards, newspapers, busboards and educational presentations to community groups
and health care providers.
. Soecialized trainina and education - Contractor, worker training, safe work practice, and
inspector courses are offered by the Lead Hazard Reduction program staff. The City is
one of the principal providers of these courses in the State of Iowa.
. Easy access to soecialized tools - Specialized lending programs have been developed to put
the proper tools and HEP A vacuums in the hands of those who need them.
. Blood lead screenina - Screening continues to be stressed to parents, health care providers
and the general community.
. Tenant education and emoowerment - A Healthy Homes intervention program has also been
piloted to provide education to tenants on interim cleaning methods.
. Lead-safe aoartment Iistina - A lead-safe apartment listing is circulated throughout the
community.
. Quick resoonse to high blood levels - A comprehensive system of medical and environmental
case management for children with elevated blood lead levels has been developed.
The results of 10 years preventing childhood lead poisoning include:
. To date, 902 units have been inspected according to the HUD protocol and 600 units (51
interim control units) have been completed. In partnership with the Rehabilitation Program of
the Housing and Community Development Department 65 units have been renovated and
made lead safe using CDBG funds which were committed as part of the local match of
$268,000. $115,281 in owner participation match has also been contributed.
. 91 lead-based paint contractors have been certified and 159 lead-based paint workers have
been trained. Over 40 persons have been trained in an eight-hour safe work practices
program. Of the contractors working in lead hazard reduction, 94% of all projects were
completed by persons or firms which meet the HUD Section 3 reporting criteria. Low to
moderate-income workers are offered free lead certification training. Stipends and
scholarships for lead contractor certification training are also offered to persons who live within
the City limits of Dubuque, who income qualify.
. Universal lead screening rates among area pediatricians are among the best in the State of
Iowa. Because of the large percentage of older housing stock, universal blood lead screening
has been implemented. The Housing Code includes a provision to post and vacate properties
where children have become lead poisoned and requires that the property be made lead-safe
before it is reoccupied. Families with lead poisoned children are counseled and assisted in
relocating to lead-safe housing. A lead-safe unit registry is maintained and units made lead-
safe under the Lead-based Paint Hazard Reduction Program are marked with a decal on the
front door. Lead levels among children from birth to 6 years of age in the target area have
decreased from 13.98% to 8.6% and 6.8% in the City of Dubuque since the lead hazard
reduction grant has been operating. This rate is still significantly higher than the national
average of 2.9% for the percentage of children in this age group.
. Public education and awareness have been achieved through presentations at service clubs,
seminars, community festivals and program recognition promotions. Billboards, busboards,
advertisements, t-shirts, hats and pencils have all helped to provide program recognition.
Television and radio spots have all helped to get the lead-based paint hazard reduction
message out to the general public. Community message recognition has been achieved by
the repetitive use of program logos, using "Got Lead?" and child's hand print logos on
letterhead, postcards, billboards and busboards. Yard signs are also displayed on project sites
while the lead hazard reduction work is underway.
. The "healthy homes" concept has been piloted in an effort to improve home environments by
teaching cleaning techniques to target area occupants. Cleaning companies and home care
providers have been taught cleaning techniques, which are effective in lowering lead dust
levels. Free cleaning kits and refurbished vacuum cleaners are offered to needy families. A
HEPA vacuum-lending program is available to contractors, as well as to homeowners, to assist
in maintaining healthy environments for children. Many lower blood lead levels have been
achieved using these cleaning methods.
. Educational materials and brochures were packaged and displayed at public offices which are
frequented by low- to moderate-income families, such as WIC, Housing, the Public Library,
Public Health, early education centers, Head Start and VNA Additional educational materials
are distributed at City hardware and home improvement stores, including "How to" literature
and paint stir sticks.
. Internships were established at area colleges to promote the educational and career
advancement of persons interested in environmental science and education.
All of the $3.69 million awarded by the HUD Round 4 grant has been expended. In addition,
$672,678 in local match funding and in-kind contributions, which represents 27% of the total outlay
of the program has been expended. Eighteen months into our current Round 11 Lead Hazard
Reduction grant $1,005,022 has been spent with 85 units completed and 46 units underway.
DISCUSSION
This application is for a Healthy Homes Initiative demonstration project for
approximately $ 900,000 to be jointly administered by the Health Services and
Housing and Community Development Departments. Proposed is the
continuation of our primary lead-based paint poisoning prevention program and
an additional initiative to combat other housing related environmental hazards
including allergy and asthma prevention, mold control education, fire and burn
safety education, radon mitigation, carbon monoxide poisoning prevention,
accidental poisoning prevention, electrical safety, and roach control.
BUDGET IMPACT
If funded, this grant would be awarded in October 2005, with work commencing
immediately. This grant application totals approximately $ 900,000.
RECOMMENDATION
The comprehensive Healthy Homes Initiative demonstration project described in
this grant application provides a significant benefit to the City of Dubuque. This
grant application is designed to continue to build a community foundation and to
prevent our community's children from suffering from the effects from years of
exposure to lead-based paint, environmental health risks and substandard
housing. This comprehensive program will establish healthy homes - healthy
neighborhood activities as the standard operating procedure for rehabilitating,
maintaining and cleaning owner and renter occupied housing. This grant
program will educate the people of Dubuque so that our children need not suffer
from preventable pediatric health problems. Through education, demonstration
and renovation, childhood diseases and lead poisoning will become yesterday's
problems and protecting our community's children will become the common
practice for the future of our City.
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 a Healthy Homes Initiative demonstration grant, in the amount of $ 900,000.
Prepared by: Kathaleen Lamb, Senior Housing Inspector
CC: Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist