Some south suburban communities with homes containing lead-based paint will soon get some help through a grant approved by Cook County officials.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners accepted a $2 million lead reduction grant on Wednesday designed to assist homeowners in high-risk areas, officials said.
In the Southland, the communities of Blue Island, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Dolton, Riverdale and Robbins will be targeted for the three-year grant funding, officials said. Maywood and Cicero also are focuses of the program.
Owners of single-family houses within the Cook County suburbs that meet income qualifications will get a one-time monetary grant to deal with lead in their homes, officials said.
“The risks associated with lead-based paint are well known,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a media release. “I am pleased that our Cook County agencies have put together a program and secured funding on this important health and safety issue.”
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Young children and pregnant women are the most at-risk for lead poisoning, officials said. Exposure to the heavy metal can cause learning disabilities, attention and mood control issues in children, officials said.
The grant meets requirements put forward by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, officials said. The Cook County Department of Public Health and the Bureau of Economic Development will provide the lead mitigation in conjunction with the county’s Residential Resilience Program.
Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.