(WXYZ) — Six communities in Michigan are getting more than $6.5 million in grants to help expand lead hazard control services to households with Medicaid-enrolled residents.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services made the announcement on Wednesday.
“We must be proactive in making sure lead hazards are removed from homes,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health. “These funds allow communities to prevent further lead exposure for our children who are at highest risk.”
The city of Detroit will get $1,274,300 for the services. Other grants include $1.3 million to Battle Creek and to Grand Rapids, $845,695 to Community Action Agency in Lenawee County, $880,005 to the city of Muskegon and $962,807 to Human Development in Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, Lapeer and Bay counties.
Activities must be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. Services available for funding under this initiative include, but are not limited to, the following efforts:
- Lead inspection, risk assessment and/or elevated blood lead investigation activities to determine the presence of lead hazards.
- Permanent removal, enclosure or encapsulation of lead-based paint and lead dust hazards for eligible residences.
- Removal or covering of soil lead hazards up to eligible residence property lines.
- Minimal rehabilitation to help sustain the lead abatement work.
- Removal of pre-2014 faucets and fixtures used for human consumption, plumbing and/or service lines deemed to be a lead hazard.
- Temporary relocation of residents during lead abatement activities.
- Building local capacity to safely and effectively abate lead hazards.
