Federal Grant Award Summary

County of Knox received a $3.8 million Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control under the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program (CFDA 14.900), awarded March 16, 2026, with completion targeted for March 16, 2030. This grant supports comprehensive lead-based paint hazard identification and control activities in privately-owned rental and owner-occupied housing throughout Knox County, Tennessee, with a specific focus on protecting children under six years of age from lead poisoning exposure. The county will implement targeted lead hazard reduction efforts in pre-1960 housing units (particularly pre-1940 construction) located in low-income and minority neighborhoods, utilizing cost-effective control methods and interim controls to reduce elevated blood lead levels in vulnerable populations.

In addition to direct hazard remediation activities, the grant funding supports capacity-building initiatives within Knox County to develop and train certified individuals and firms in lead-safe work practices and lead hazard control methods. The county will establish community-based partnerships integrating lead hazard control with broader housing health and safety initiatives, including optional Healthy Homes Supplemental activities addressing additional housing-related health hazards. These comprehensive efforts align with the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program's objective of maximizing child protection through systematic identification and control of lead-based paint hazards in eligible housing stock.