The city of Tucson has been awarded $2.9 million in federal grants to help remove lead hazards from local homes.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Tuesday it is giving out a total of $52.6 million in grants to 23 local and state government agencies to help protect low-income families with children from the health issues connected to lead-based paint.
Tucson officials expect the two grants will address hazards in 180 homes here.
Housing improvements help prevent injuries and illnesses, reduce associated health care and social service costs, reduce absentee rates for children in school and adults at work, and reduce stress, HUD says.
Tucson has not announced how it will begin to carry out the program but is expected to collaborate with El Rio Community Health Center, the Sonora Economic Research Institute, the Southwest Fair Housing Council, Environmental Consulting Services, Inc. and the Pima County Health Department.
For information on the grant, contact Ray Quihuis with the city at 837-5336.
