Arizona to receive funding from HUD for home hazard protection
Jun 28, 2017, 6:01 AM
(Pexels Photo)
PHOENIX — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has granted more than $127 million to 48 government agencies across the country to protect children and families from safety hazards in the home.
The city of Phoenix will receive $2.9 million, while Pima County is set to gain $1.65 million.
The money will protect 7,600 American families “living in homes with significant lead and other home health and safety hazards,” according to a statement.
HUD announced the news on Tuesday as part of “a continuous effort to keep families and their children safe from lead-based paint and other home health and safety hazards.” The department is headed by former GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson.
“Children perform better at school and in life if they live in a healthy home,” Carson said in the statement. “A healthy start at home translates to a successful life outside of the home.”
HUD says it is celebrating June’s National Healthy Homes Month, and that Carson wants to prioritize the removal of lead paint hazards.
The statement said unhealthy homes affect the health of millions — often across varying income levels, geographic areas and other factors.
Carson himself is the former director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.