CONSOLIDATED PLAN & STRATEGY 5-YEAR ... - City of Lakeland

2. Outline actions proposed or being taken to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint
hazards and describe how lead based paint hazards will be integrated into
housing policies and programs, and how the plan for the reduction of lead-based
hazards is related to the extent of lead poisoning and hazards.
3-5 Year Strategic Plan Lead-based Paint response:
The federal government has made the elimination of housing units containing leadbased
paint a priority. The poisoning of children from contact with lead-based paint
has been recognized as a major public health problem by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, lead is the number one
environmental health hazard to American children. Lead poisoning causes IQ
reductions, reading and learning disabilities, decreased attention span, hyperactivity
and aggressive behavior. Lead-based paint was banned from residential paint in
1978. All homes built prior to that time may contain lead-based paint.
The significance of the data, listed below, is that LMI owner households who are cost
burdened may not have the resources to abate lead-based paint in their homes. A
large amount of the City’s oldest housing stock is located in low income census tracts
with a greater possibility of having lead based paint. Additionally, LMI renter
households may not even be aware that their leased units contain lead-based paint,
or they may be hesitant to ask their landlord to abate the problem for fear of being
evicted or having their rent increased.
Estimated Number of Housing Units that Potentially Contain Lead-based
Paint By Income Category, 2000
50% and 80% and
below MFI below MFI
Total
Owner-Occupied Household Units 6,540 7,988 14,528
Built pre-1970 2,812 3,794 6,606
There are several ways to detect LBP: X-ray fluorescence using a hand held analyzer
and lab testing for verification. The six lead-based paint hazards known to produce
lead exposures that are known to have poisoned children are 1) deteriorated lead
based paint on any exterior or interior surface, 2) Lead based paint on any friction
surface, particularly floors and windows painted with LBP, 3) LBP on any impact
surface, such as door-frames, 4) Lead contaminated dust-interior household surface
dust that contains lead in excess of a federal standard, as established by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 5) Lead contaminated soil. It is believed
that lead in household dust is the most common contributor to childhood lead
poisoning, and 6) LBP on any accessible surface, which a young child could chew,
such as window sill.
The City of Lakeland addresses lead-based paint hazards as part of the rehabilitation
program. The City addresses any lead-based paint hazards pursuant to 24 CFR Part
35 Final Rule effective September 15, 2000. Lakeland Rehabilitation Specialists have
attended training for the lead based paint regulations offered by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Qualified testers and risk
assessment contractors are utilized for the work to be completed for lead based paint
stabilization, detection, and abatement using safe work practices. Staff implements
the necessary clearance testing. Both Rehabilitation Specialists are certified for Lead
3-5 Year Strategic Plan 20