LOS ANGLES (CNS) - The Housing and Community Investment Department of Los Angeles today announced that it received a $5.6-million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help low-income residents remove lead-based paint from their homes.
``Young children are at the highest risk to sustaining significant health issues from exposure to lead,'' said HCIDLA General Manager Rushmore Cervantes. ``These funds will help protect low-income families with children from the dangers of lead-based paint.''
The grant is intended to help prevent lead poisoning for families with children younger than 6, according to HUD.
The city was awarded $5 million to remove lead-based paint and $600,000 in supplemental funding for making homes healthier in general. The city will address lead hazards at an estimated 240 housing units.
The city will also perform healthy homes assessments in 120 units, and work with other medical and social service providers.
Los Angeles was one of 77 state and local government agencies that successfully competed for funding nationwide.
More information on the city's lead paint removal program can be found at www.hcidla.lacity.org/home-safe-lead-paint.