Rep. Sykes Announces Over $13.8 Million for Lead Abatement in Summit County
AKRON, OH – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $7,750,000 to the City of Akron and $6,098,902 to Summit County as part of the department's Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program.
“Every American deserves to live in safe, clean homes, free from lead and other toxins, and this funding will help accomplish that for 370 households in our community. I will continue working to bring federal funding home to Ohio’s 13th Congressional District to protect our community,” said Rep. Sykes.
With this funding, the City of Akron will address lead and other housing hazards in 250 housing units and Summit County will address lead and other housing hazards in 120 homes. This will provide safer homes for low income families with children.
Approximately 3.6 million American households have children under 6 years of age who live in homes with lead exposure hazards, according to HUD. The awards to Akron and Summit County are two of 73 grants totaling $395 million awarded to state and local governments under the Lead Hazard Reduction Program during this round of funding.
Award recipients will develop comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately-owned rental or owner-occupied housing populations. Funding will also enhance lead-based paint hazard control activities by comprehensively identifying and addressing other housing hazards that could affect the health of occupants.