Vermont Housing Conservation Board 2005 - Vermont Housing and ...

VERMONT LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARD REDUCTION PROGRAM
The Rockingham Area Community
Land Trust used $45,000 in Lead
Paint Hazard Abatement Funding
renovating the historic 13-unit Wall
Street Apartment building in Springfi
eld. U.S.D.A. Rural Development
provided both a low interest loan and
rental assistance for all 13 units. The
original woodwork, trim, hardwood
fl oors and arched windows give the
apartments character and appeal.
Vermont Lead Paint
Hazard Reduction
Program
For more information, contact
us at
1-800-290-0527
or visit the web site:
www.leadsafevermont.org
All children should be screened
for lead poisoning at ages one
and two. To learn about
free lead screening,
contact the
Department of Health
at 1-800-439-8550.
Lead poisoning is the number one environmental threat to the health of young
children, causing behavioral, neurological and physical damage that cannot
be undone. Prevention is the only way to eliminate this serious problem.
Operating since 1994, VHCB’s very successful Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction
Program provides technical and financial assistance to eliminate lead paint
hazards in private, low-income housing and home-based day care centers. Home
owners with young children and rental property owners receive comprehensive assistance
in the form of lead paint testing, development of hazard control plans, construction
oversight, and dust testing to ensure properties are safe to be reoccupied.
A typical lead hazard reduction project includes window replacement, stabilization
of painted surfaces, removal of lead paint from friction or impact surfaces
(i.e. door jambs, floors), and specialized cleaning.
Grants and zero percent interest deferred loans are provided to pay certified
lead abatement contractors to complete the necessary work. The program also
provides funding and expertise to VHCB’s non-profit partners to ensure lead
safety and regulatory compliance in projects involving the rehabilitation of older
housing units.
The program was recently awarded another 3 million grant from the U.S.
Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to continue its important
work. Since 1994, the program has helped to reduce lead paint hazards in over
1,500 homes and apartments throughout the State. The newest award from HUD
will allow the program to assist another 220 families.
VHCB works closely with the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
at the Vermont Department of Health to complete priority interventions in the
homes of lead poisoned children and to raise public awareness about the dangers
of lead.
The program conducts a comprehensive lead awareness campaign that includes
a web site (www.leadsafevermont.org) and the provision of free lead safety training
classes. VHCB is currently the only source of this training whichh is required by
Vermont law. Staff also provide advice and limited technical assistance to prevent
Vermonters from creating lead hazards during home improvements and to keep
their children safe by using proper cleaning techniques.
In 2004-2005 the Lead Program participated in a study to conduct low-level
interventions in the homes of asthmatic children to determine if asthmatic events
could be reduced by identifying and mitigating certain environmental conditions
in the home. This research project is being conducted in partnership with the City
of Boston and the Asthma Regional Council of New England. Follow-up surveys
of program participants indicate positive benefits for children with asthma such
as fewer school days missed, fewer hospital visits, and less respiratory distress in
the home.
In the coming year, the program will be participating in efforts to improve compliance
with Vermont’s lead paint law for rental housing and child care facilities.
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