Federal Grant Award Summary

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control awarded Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department a Project Grant totaling $1,013,454.24 under the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program (CFDA 14.900) on March 15, 2026. The award will support a comprehensive lead-based paint hazard identification and control initiative extending through March 15, 2030. The awardee will target privately-owned rental and owner-occupied housing units in McCook, Nebraska, with priority given to pre-1960 construction (particularly pre-1940 structures) where children under six years of age face the greatest risk of lead poisoning, especially in low-income and minority neighborhoods.

Grant funds will be deployed to conduct lead inspections and risk assessments, implement cost-effective interim controls and abatement activities, and build local capacity through training and certification of individuals and firms in lead-safe work practices. The Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department will also develop community-based partnerships integrating lead hazard control with other local health and housing initiatives, and utilize Healthy Homes Supplemental funding to address additional housing-related health and safety hazards affecting occupant health. These activities align with the program's core objective of maximizing protection of young children from lead poisoning through comprehensive, community-integrated approaches to hazard remediation.