Westchester County has been awarded $7.75 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to expand its Lead Safe Westchester (LSW) program. The LSW Program provides free improvements and repairs to reduce lead-based paint, dust and other safety hazards in housing units built before 1978 that are occupied by people with low to moderate incomes.
The program gives priority consideration to housing units occupied by either children under the age of 6 or pregnant women or both.
According to the county, lead can be harmful if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed into the body. In young children, it can slow growth and development, cause behavior and learning problems a cause hearing and speech problems.
Since 1999, Lead Safe Westchester has funded more than $20 million in improvements to more than 1,500 housing units. More than 81% of the housing in Westchester was built before 1978 when lead paint was extensively used.
“This $7.75 million award allows us to build on the success of the Lead Safe Westchester program and continue addressing a serious but preventable public health risk,” Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said. “By expanding this work, we are helping protect children and families while improving the safety and quality of affordable housing throughout Westchester County.”
According to the county’s Planning Commissioner Blanca Lopez, “Lead Safe Westchester has made a meaningful impact in communities across the county. This additional funding allows us to expand those efforts and reach more households that need assistance to mitigate lead hazards and improving overall housing conditions.”
The Lead Safe Program is handled by the county’s Department of Planning, which coordinates the inspection of eligible homes and then develops scopes of work and coordinates repairs with certified contractors. Improvements may include paint stabilization, window and door replacement and installation of safety features such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Applications for Lead Safe Westchester are currently being accepted by the Planning Department on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to households with children under 6 and pregnant women. To qualify for assistance, households have to meet federal income guidelines and eligible properties must have been built before 1978.
