The lead-based paint hazard reduction (LHR) grant program is to maximize the number of children under the age of six protected from lead poisoning by assisting states, cities, counties/parishes,…

The Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PRSTRT) was awarded a $999,998.00 Lead Hazard Reduction (LHR) Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control. The purpose of this CFDA 14.900 Project Grant is to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in privately-owned rental and owner-occupied housing where children under the age of 6 are at greatest risk of lead poisoning, particularly in low-income and minority neighborhoods. PRSTRT will utilize cost-effective lead hazard control methods and build local capacity for trained and certified individuals and firms to address lead hazards safely during renovation, remodeling, and maintenance activities. The award also includes Healthy Homes Supplemental funding to comprehensively address other housing-related health and safety hazards. The project period runs from March 31, 2025 through March 31, 2028.

Activities

Program funds will be awarded to applicants to accomplish the following objectives: a. Targeted units: target lead hazard control efforts in housing units where children less than 6 years of age are at greatest risk of lead poisoning (pre-1960, and, especially, pre-1940 construction), which has historically included children in low-income and minority neighborhoods, to reduce the likelihood of elevated blood lead levels in these children. B. Cost effectiveness: utilize cost-effective lead hazard control methods and approaches that ensure the long-term safety of the building occupants. C. Capacity: build local capacity of trained and certified individuals and firms to address lead hazards safely and effectively during lead hazard control, renovation, remodeling, and maintenance activities. Another core element for capacity includes the development of comprehensive, community-based approaches to integrating this grant program within other local initiatives through public and private partnerships that address housing related health and safety hazards and/or serve low-income families with children under the age of six (6). D. Affirmative marketing: establish and implement a detailed process of monitoring and ensuring that units made lead-safe are affirmatively marketed, and priority given, to families with children under age 6 years for not less than three years. E. Data collection: gather pre- and post-treatment data that supports and validates lead hazard control investments. Program data collected should support the evaluation of grant program activities and outcomes. F. Targeted outreach and education: conducting targeted outreach, affirmative marketing, education or outreach programs on lead hazard control and lead poisoning prevention designed to increase the ability of the applicant to deliver the specified lead hazard control services through this program; including educating owners of eligible rental properties, tenants, and others on the benefits and expectations of participating in this program provided by "title x" of the residential lead-based paint hazard reduction act of 1992.

Expected outcomes

To identify and clean up dangerous lead in low-income families' homes where low-income families were children 6 and under reside. These investments will protect families and children by targeting significant lead and health hazards in over 3,700 low-income homes for which other resources are not available.

Intended beneficiaries

To assist states, cities, counties/parishes, native american tribes or other units of local government in undertaking comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately-owned rental or owner-occupied housing populations were children under 6 reside.

Subrecipient activities

The subrecipient activities are unknown at the time of award.