Newark officials announced Monday that the city was awarded a $3,600,000 lead-hazard control grant to test for and remediate lead paint and other household lead hazards across the city.

Mark Moder, the city’s community and economic development director, told the council the program will target older housing stock — with priority given to households that include children age 6 and under — and will serve both owner-occupied and rental properties statewide within the city’s target area. Moder said the program will include home evaluations, testing, and development of work plans to address identified hazards.

“Lead is a very serious issue,” Moder said. “It’s a poison, actually, to children, especially children 6 years and under and also to pregnant women.” Moder said the grant-funded work will include exterior improvements such as windows, doors and siding in addition to hazard control work, and that the city will coordinate with the property maintenance department, the Licking County Health Department and community action partners to administer the program.

Council members and the mayor praised the award. A council member noted that the city is replacing galvanized water service lines at no cost to residents and urged homeowners to register with the water department to speed that work; Moder and council members linked that broader infrastructure work to the city’s lead-remediation priorities.

Moder provided brochures to council members and said the city’s target area includes the downtown and surrounding older neighborhoods but that the entire city will be eligible for the program. He encouraged residents who think they may be eligible to contact the city for screening and follow-up.

No formal council action was recorded on the grant during the meeting; Moder said he would be available after the session to speak with residents about the program.