City Awarded $1.8 Million for Lead-Based Paint Program
Top level performance leads to fourth grant award

The City's Housing and Neighborhood Services Department (HNSD) has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from the federal government to address childhood lead poisoning in low-to-moderate income families throughout Bexar County. The three-year grant provides funding to address lead hazards in more than 112 low-to-moderate households through the department's Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program (LBPHCP).
 
LBPHCP's goal is to wipe out childhood lead poisoning by 2010. "With the award of this grant, the lead-based paint program will continue to strive towards its mission in eliminating childhood lead poisoning and providing lead safe housing," said Myrna R. Esquivel, M.S., HNSD Construction Specialist Supervisor.

The grant, which was submitted in collaboration with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD) and Family Service Association (FSA), will allow the department to continue outreach and educational efforts within the community.
"Since 2000, our department has received $10 million from HUD which has resulted in 569 lead-safe households. We very much welcome this additional $1.8 million to continue this important work," said David D. Garza, director of HNSD.

Under the City’s Lead-Based Paint Program, children are tested for lead by
SAMHD staff. If positive, families are referred to HNSD to address lead hazards in the home. The program works with state certified lead experts to find solutions such as replacing windows and doors that have tested positive for lead paint or paint stabilization.

Lead-based paint can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, health problems, especially in children. It is estimated that over 300,000 children in the United States have elevated blood lead levels. The most common source for lead is paint but it also can be found in pottery and ceramics, soil, food, and consumer products among other sources.

For more information about the City’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program, call 207-6628 or visit www.sanantonio.gov/nad.