The city of Memphis has received a $3.7 million grant that will be used for lead hazard reduction as part of a three-year plan for 240 housing units built before 1978 in 12 targeted ZIP codes.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development established a three-year period of performance for the Lead Hazard demonstration grants that it awards. This is Memphis’ eighth award since 1995. The current grant ends June 2016.
The city of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development will implement the program. The grant also will fund healthy homes assessments in 65 units.
Lead inspections and risk assessments for eligible projects will begin in January for the new grant, said Marticus Muhammad, Program Manager for the city of Memphis. The remediation process for those eligible projects will begin in February or March and continue until the fall of 2018.
The program will address eligible occupied rental, vacant rental and owner-occupied housing units serving all of Shelby County. The highest priority will be units that have a child with an elevated blood level living there, followed by units within 12 targeted ZIP codes. The third priority is all other areas outside those 12 ZIP codes.
The 12 targeted ZIP codes are 38103, 38104, 38105, 38108, 38112, 38116, 38117, 38118, 38119, 38126, 38128 and 38141.
The city’s Housing and Community Development division will use the Healthy Homes supplemental funds for 65 units. Criteria for how those units are chosen will include if the home is occupied by children or a person with chronic conditions such as asthma.
The work that is anticipated the most will include smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, minor drywall repair to address mold and moisture issues, minor roof repairs and HVAC filter replacements, Muhammad said.
“Any housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint,” he said. “However, the only way to verify that lead-based paint is present is with a lead inspection performed by a certified lead inspector.”
Property owners with housing built before 1978 are encouraged to call the HCD Lead-Safe Program at 901-576-7325 or 901-576-7335 for a free lead-based paint inspection.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.
Lance is a veteran journalist with more than 16 years of experience in newsrooms in the Memphis area as a reporter and editor, including most recently as managing editor of The Daily News. He regularly contributes to The Daily News, including a biweekly travel column, The Daily Traveler.